NATURAL  HISTORY 


VSALLE  COUNTY  ILL 


PART     1. 


I.  W.   HUETT. 


LIBRARY 

Af^^ 
ILL  Aki«8fe9WVEY 


FLORA  LA  SALLEN5IS 


—BY— 


JOHN  W.  HUETT. 


OTTAWA,    ILL., 

FAIR-DEALER  PRINT, 
1897. 


ESSAY 


TOWARD  A  NATURAL  HISTORY 


—OF— 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY,  ILL. 


PART  I— BOTANY, 

FLORA  LA  SALLENSIS 


JOHN  W.  HUETT. 


OTTAWA,    ILL., 

PAIR-DEALER  PRINT, 

1897. 


ERRATA. 


PAGE. 

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Period  after  corner. 

2-4  ft.  for  2-4  iu.    3d  col. 

Put  Trenton  just  above  St.  Peters.    2d  col 

In  dry  for  in  wet. 

Hepatica  acutiloba  and  drop  aentitoba. 

Cornuti  for  cormuti. 

Cymbalaria  for  cymbadaria. 

Strike  out  commas  after  Liriodendron  and  Magnolia. 
Strike  out  sep.  before  pinnalifid. 
Short  for  sharp. 

Mid-rid  for  third  rib.  arid  form  for  join. 
Kanunculaceae. 
Acrid  for  acridi. 
Erase  closes. 
Caroliniana. 
bottom.  Nemorosa  for  Anemorosa, 

Scape  for  seape,  and  in  other  places. 
Erase  R. 

bottom.  .Fh.  for  ,1.  and  Hydrastis  for  Hyradis. 
Put  Nymphaea  before  A. 
Abutilon  for  abutiton. 
Perennis  for  pereusis. 
Miter-wort  for  Miller- wort. 
Palustris  for  palustsis. 
Sempervivum. 
Me  1  astom  aceae . 
Coloratura. 
Kafenesquie. 
Mollugo  for  Mollego. 
Umbel  liferae. 

bottom.   Mitchella  should  follow  Houstonia  page  S5. 
Strike  out  bell-shaped 
Frondosa  for  frondasa. 
Cernua  for  Cornua. 
Cotula  for  cot. 
Arvensis  forarvensic. 
Anagallis  for  Angnllis. 
A  for  H. 
A  for  Y. 

Anoema  for  anoena. 
CouvolvTjlaceae  for  Oouvol.    v 

Kra.se  the  D.  before  Petunia. 
Conophi/110  for  coopopholis. 

Anychia  capillacea  5. 

Monilifera  for  manil. 
Hedeoma  pulegioides.    Pennyroyal.   Branching,  hairy.  10  to  IS    in.:    leaves 
long-ovate,  petiolate  slightly  serrate.     Dry  fields.    Should  foliow  Melissa  p.  114. 
lly  a  mixing  of  manuscript   Hesperis  to  Viola   was  omitted   at  the   proper 
place  on  page  .">!  and  wili  be  found  on  pages  133-6. 


50  £.7  73  ^1       M-.l 


e— 


PREFACE. 

THIS  little  volume,  the  first  part  of  a  more  extensive  work  on  the 
Natural  History  of  La  Salie  county,  has  been  prepared  and 
published  for  the  purpose  of  making  the  results  of  the  author's 
studies  and  observations  accessible  to  all  who  are  interested  in  these 
subjects.    It  was  begun  some  years  ago,  then  abandoned  and  resumed 
at  the  earnest  persuasion  of  Proi.  R.  Williams,  to  be  again  dropped 
for  a  time  and  completed  under  unfavorable  and  discouraging  cir- 
cumstances and  but  for  the  kindness  and  encouragement  of  a  few 
real  friends  would  never  have  been  completed. 

This  bootc  is  designed  to  be  a  complete  catalogue  of  the  plants  of 
La  Salle  county,  including  the  Filices  or  Ferns.  The  Mosses,  Liver- 
worts, Lichens  or  Fungi,  as  far  as  we  are  familiar  with  them,  will  be 
given  in  Part  II,  Part  I  having  already  greatly  exceeded  the  limits 
assigned  to  it.  Part  II  will  also  contain  articles  on  the  Geology,  Min- 
eralogy, Zoology  in  its  various  departments,  Physical  Geography,  etc., 
and  together  they  will  present  as  full  a  presentation  of  the  natural 
history  of  the  county  as  is  at  present  possible. 

To  Prof.  Rinaldo  Williams  of  Streator,  Prof.  Henry  L.  Boltwood 
of  Evanston.and  Mr.  Charles  F.  Johnson  of  Freeport,  late  of  Mar- 
seilles, we  are  under  many  obligations  for  advice  and  aid;  also  to 
Messrs.  John  F.  Nash,  C.  B  Chapman,  L.  A.  Williams,  J.  L.  Thomas, 
Giles  Roberts,  Shaw  &  Hickling,  Kneussl  Bros.,  Charles  A.  Williams, 
late  of  this  city,  now  of  Chicago,  and  last  but  by  no  means  least  Rev. 
H.  H.  Gregg,  Jr.,  and  Rev.  J.  P.  Hiester  of  Farm  Ridge,  for  many 
favors. 

We  regret  that  there  are  many  typographical  errors  but  the  more 
important  of  these  are  noted  in  the  Errata  and  others  are  so  obvious 
as  to  need  no  comment. 

Tne  first  catalogue  of  the  plants  of  La  Salle  county  was  prepared 
by  Prof.  R.  Williams  and  published  in  Baldwin's  History  of  La  Salle 
county  in  1877,  pp.  48(5— 502  inc.,  giving  the  names  of  592  plants  be- 
longing to  101  orders.  A  second  was  published  in  the  Ottawa  Repub- 
lican by  Prof  Boltwood  1883—4,  giving  the  names  of  7(52  species  and 
varieties;  a  third  was  published  by  Mr.  C.  F.  Johnson  about  1895 
giving  the  names  of  (565  species  and  varieties,  and.  this  volume  gives 
about  1,030  species  and  varieties  belonging  to  340  orders.  Gray's 
Manual  (5th  Ed.  describes  3,157  species  belonging  to  853  orders.  The 
Hora  of  La  Salle  county  therefore  is  about  one  third  that  of  the  Unite  d 
States  north  of  the  south  line  of  Tennessee  and  east  of  the  100th 
Meridian. 


WEEDS. 

We  presume  that  it  is  not  necessary  for  us  to  tell 
the  farmer  that  it  does  not  pay  him  to  raise  weeds. 
We  will  give  a  list  of  those  we  consider  worst: 

COMMON  NAME. 

Ambrosia  Sev.  Spe.  Horseweed,  Ragweed. 

Xanthium  strumarium,  Cocklebur. 

Bidens  Sev.  Spe.  Spanish  Needles,  etc. 

Arctium  lappa,  Burdock. 

Cnicus  Sev.  Spe.  Thistle. 

Cynaglossum  officinale,  Beggar  ticks. 

Echinospermum  Virginicum  Beggar  lice. 
Convolvulus  sepium,  Morning  glory.  • 

Ipomoea  panduratus,  Morning  glory. 

Ipomoea  hederacea  Morning  glory. 

Chenopodiaceae  Sev.  Spe.     Pigweed,  Lamb's  quarter. 
Rumex  Sev.  Spe.  Dock. 

Amarantus  Sev.  Spe.  Hogweed,   Redroot. 

Polygonaceae  Sev.  Spe.,         Smartweed. 
Asclepias  Sev.  Spe.  Milkweed. 

Apocynum  androsemifolium  Milkweed. 
Euphorbia  Sev.  Spe.  Milkweed. 

Of  these,  Convolvulus  sepium.  Ipomoea  pandur- 
atus, Asclepias  and  Apocynum  spread  by  their 
roots  as  well  as  by  seeds  aud  the  same  is  true  of  one 
species  of  Cnicus,  arvensis,  the  Canada  thistle,  and 
these  plants  are  difficult  to  exterminate,  but  if  kept 
cut  down  below  the  surface  they  at  length  die  and  this 
is  probably  the  easiest  and  cheapest  way  to  get  rid  of 
them. 

The  others,  if  kept  from  forming  seed  will,  in  two 
or  three  years,  give  up  the  contest  and,  while  care 
will  be  necessary  to  prevent  them  from  returning, 
they  will  give  little  trouble.  Mere  cutting  will  not 
suffice  however  for  most  of  those  in  our  list  will,  when 
cut  close  to  the  ground,  immediately  send  out  shoots 
and  flower,  and  perfect  seed  before  the  close  of  the 
season,  it  maturing  much  more  rapidly  on  these  shoots 
than  on  the  undisturbed  plant. 


flora  %a 


INTRODUCTION. 


Iva  Salle  County  is  situated  in  the  northwestern 
quarter  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  between  the  parallels 
of  lattitude  of  40  deg1.,  54  min.  and  41  deg1.,  48  min. 
N.  and  the  meridians  of  88  deg1.  35  min.,  89  deg1.  10 
min.  W.  .of  Greenwich,  the  latitude  of  the  northern 
part  of  the  State  of  California,  the  parallel  of  41  deg1. 
crossing-  that  state  north  of  Reading1;  Tuscarosa, 
Nevada;  Og-den  and  Huntsville,  Utah;  Cheyenne  and 
Laramie  City,  Wyoming1;  Sidney,  Central  City  and 
Omaha,  Nebraska;  Council  Bluffs,  Indianola  and  Os- 
kaloosa,  Iowa;  Kewanee,  Morris  and  Kankakee, 
Illinois;  North  Judson,  Warsaw  and  Ft.  Wayne, 
Indiana;  Defiance,  Fostoria,  Norwalk,  Akron,  Young's- 
town,  Ohio;  Wilkesbarre  and  Williamsport,  Pennsyl- 
vania; the  north  part  of  New  Jersey;  Peekskill,  New 
York,  and  New  Haven,  Connecticut;  Braga,  Portugal; 
Zamora  and  Barcelona,  Spain;  Porto  Vecchio,  Corsica; 
Viletri  and  Campobosso,  Italy;  Durazzo,  Monastir, 
Seria  and  Sinope,  Turkey;  Nukha,  S.  E.  of  Tfliis, 
Russia;  Tashkent.  Russia;  Chengfte,  China,  and  the 
extreme  north  part  of  the  island  of  Hondo,  Japan,  and 


2          BOTANY  OF  L,A  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 

the  meridian  of  Ottawa  is  nearly  that  of  Mt.  Vernon, 
Illinois;  Paris,  Tennessee;  and  the  mouth  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi river,  and  wholly  west  of  South  America, 
while  to  the  north  it  runs  very  near  Oshkosh,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  Houghton,  Michigan.  It  thus  lies  in  latitude 
in  that  belt  of  lands  which  in  Europe  and  Asia  is 
occupied  by  nations  which  seem  to  have  passed  their 
meridian,  and  have  passed  into  the  lengthening 
shadows  of  life's  ebb  and  evening-.  Not  a  first-class 
power  of  the  Old  World  lies  in  this  region,  and  it  is 
somewhat  curious  that  the  most  progressive  of  them 
all,  Japan,  is  the  farthest  east. 

The  County  is  rectangular  in  form,  with  a  smaller 
rectangle  attached  near  the  southwest  corner.  It  is 
six  townships  long-  by  five  wide,  or  roug-hly  approxi- 
mates a  length  of  thirty-six  miles  from  north  to  south, 
and  a  breadth  of  about  thirty  miles  from  east  to  west. 
The  small  rectangle  is  about  twelve  miles  from  north 
to  south,  making  the  extreme  length  of  the  County 
forty-eight  miles,  and  the  breadth  six  miles,  the  rect- 
angle containing  two  full  townships.  The  area  of  the 
County  would  thus  be  that  of  thirty-two  townships, 
or  1,152  square  miles,  but  several  of  the  townships 
contain  less  than  thirty-six  square  miles,  and  the  total 
area  is  about  1,132  square  miles,  or  less  by  about 
eight  per  cent,  than  Rhode  Island,  more  than  half  the 
area  of  Delaware,  and  less  than  one-fourth  that  of 
Connecticut. 

Surface.  The  surface  is  a  high,  rolling  prairie, 
with  narrow  tracts  of  timber  bordering  the  streams, 
having  an  elevation  of  m«»re  than  800  feet  obove  the 
ocean  near  the  northwest  corner,  of  484  feet  in  the 
Illinois  valley  at  Ottawa,  and  of  752  feet  at  Ransom. 
In  the  southeast  corner,  (see  table  of  elevations)  it  is 
cut  into  four  sections  by  the  deep,  narrow  valleys  of 


BOTANY  OF  I, A  SALLE  COUNTY.          3 

the  Illinois,  Fox  and  Big1  Vermillion  rivers.  These 
sections  are  of  very  unequal  size,  that  east  of  the  Fox 
and  north  of  the  Illinois  being1  the  smallest,  while  the 
northwest  and  southeast  sections  are  much  larger 
than  the  southwestern  one. 

These  sections  differ  in  some  points,  depending-  upon 
the  geological  structure  of  the  country.  We  will 
therefore  take  a  brief  survey  of  the  g-eology  of  the 
county. 

Geology.  Beginning*  at  the  north  line  of  the  state 
we  find  thick  beds  of  a  grayish  yellow,  rather  soft 
limestone  (the  same  as  quarried  at  Joliet),  called  the 
Niag-ara  limestone  because  it  is  of  the  same  ag-e  (it 
contains  the  same  fossils)  as  that  forming-  the  upper 
part  of  the  precipice  over  which  the  Niag-ara  river 
flows  at  the  Falls.  It  appears  at  Osweg-o,  Kendall 
County,  on  the  Fox  River  Valley  Division  of  the  Chi- 
cago, Burlington  &  Quincy  Railway.  It  dips,  sinks, 
toward  the  south  and  near  the  north  line  of  I/a  Salle 
County  the  carboniferous  beds,  often  called  coal  meas- 
ures appear  as  a  thin  bed,  thickening-  as  we  g-o  south. 
A  little  north  of  Ottawa  coal  is  found,  and  this  forma- 
tion is  not  more  than  twenty  feet  thick.  Going-  south 
it  still  thickens  and,  at  Streator,  is  210  feet  thick, 
while  at  La  'Salle  it  is  much  thicker.  Coal  is  seldom 
found  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  the  north 
bluff  of  the  Illinois  valley,  but  except  the  floor  of  the 
valley  from  Ottawa  west,  it  covers  all  the  County  to 
the  south.  Over  much  of  this  area,  much  more  than 
half,  but  one  bed  of  coal  exists,  but  about  Streator 
two  workable  beds  are  found  and  at  L/a  Salle  three. 
The  coal  beds  are  desig-nated  by  numbers  from  the 
lowest  upward,  the  lowest,  and  consequently  the  old- 
est, being  numbered  I.  This  does  not  occur  in  the 
County.  Numbers  II,  III,  IV,  V,  VI.  VII,  VIII, 


4  BOTANY  OF  L,A  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 

IX  and    X,    or   representatives   of   them,    are    found 
within    our      territory,    and    II,    VII    and    VIII    are 
mined;  III  is  a  double  bed,  twenty  inches  of  coal,  each 
bed  ten  inches  thick;  IV  is  a  bed  of  poor  coal;  VII, 
the  great   Streator  bed;  VIII  is   found  in  Deer  Park 
township  and  at  L/a  Salle,  aud  IX  and   X  are  shales; 

X  a  very  thin  poor  cool  found  about  Iva  SaHe;  V  is  a 
black   slate.     Coals  III  and  IV  about   one-third  the 
way  from  Stteator  to  lya  Salle  change  to  black  slates, 
and  are  found  .  every  where  in  the  banks  of  streams, 
and  in  borings.     They  are  remarkable  for  their  regu- 
lar thickness  and  for  splitting  int6  large  thin  sheets. 
Bed  VI  is  represented  by  shales  more  or  less  bitumi- 
nous.    The  coal  measures  are  made  up  of  beds  of  fire 
clays,   shales  or  clay  slates;  of  various  colors,  sand- 
stones,    generally    soft,    often    highly    charged    with 
bisulphide  of  iron   (pyrite,    fool's  gold,  sulphur,  &c.) 
which,  decomposing  in  the   presence  of  moisture  and 
air,  causes  the  rock  to  crumble  and  renders  it  useless 
for  any  purpose.     This  is  not  always  the  case  how- 
ever,   there   being  some   of   these   sandstones    which 
withstand  the  atmospheric  agencies  and  are  not  splii 
up1  ^  frost, 

The  coal  measures  also  contain  in  the  west  part  of 
our  'field,  thick  beds  of  magnesian'  limestone  as  well 
as  Some  thin  ones  of  argillaceous  and  some  of  highly 
arenacous  limestones,  but  they  are  of  limited  extent 
and  local  importance  as  surface  rocks.  '.yl 

Resting?  on  the  coal,  measures  we  find  what  seems  at 
fist  sight  a,  confused  mass  of  clays,  sands  and  g-ravels 
and  of  .almost  eyery  possible  combination  of  them  with 
here  and  there  considerable  masses  of  rock^  and  these 
such  as  are  not  found  here  in  beds,  and  they  are 
always  more  or  less  rounded,  sometimes  very  smooth.' 
The  gravel  is  very  largely  limestone  and  as  most  pieces 


BOTANY  OF  L,A  SALLE  COUNTY.          5 

furnish  a  fossil  or  two,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  tracing* 
it  to  its  source.  It  is  unquestionably  Niagara  lime- 
stone which  has  been  broken  up,  the  fragments  some- 
what rounded  and  smoothed  and  moved  from  some 
other  locality  to  the  places  where  we  now  find  it,  for 
when  we  bore  a  deep  well  in  this  region  we  find  no 
traces  of  the  Niagara  limestone,  but  we  do  find  strata 
that  belong  below  it — far  below  it.  Hence  we  are  led 
to  the  conclusion  that  the  Niagara  never  existed  here. 
But  where  did  the  hard,  dark  or  light  rocks,  for  they 
are  of  many  colors  ,come  from?  The  nearest  point  at 
which  we  find  any  trace  of  them  is  about  seventy-five 
miles  north  of  the  south  line  of  Wisconsin  and  for  the 
original  home  of  others  we  must  go  to  the  south  shore 
of  Lake  Superior.  But  if  they  came  from  these  distant 
places  how  did  they  get  here?  We  know  of  but  two 
methods.  They  might  be  rolled  onward  by  waters  or 
borne  from  their  native  beds  by  ice  in  the  form  of 
glaciers,  and  that  the  gravels  were  transposed  by 
water  and  the  blocks  by  ice  we  think  substantially 
established.  If  we  suppose  the  country  about  Hud- 
son's Bay  to  be  covered  by  ice  several  hundred  feet 
thich  and  remember  that  ice  is  as  amenable  to  pressure 
as  wet  clay,  we  can  readily  understand  that  the 
weight  of  the  superincumbent  matter  would  tend  to 
force  the  ice,  as  it  were,  to  flow  out  around  the  bottom 
and  that  the  greater  the  depth  over  the  buried  region 
the  greater  the  force  causing  the  outflow  and  the  far- 
ther it  would  extend  and  this  force  might  be  so  great 
as  to  cause  the  ice  to  reach  out  in  long  streams  as  gla- 
ciers and  even  sufficient  to  force  it  up  and  over  consid- 
able  hills.  It  would  of  course  flow  through  valleys 
and  low  lands  until  these  were  all  filled  up.  When 
one  of  these  streams  encountered  a  ridg-e  it  would  pile 
up  against  it,  slowly  climb  it  and  as  it  went  down  the 


6          BOTANY  OF  L,A  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 

farther  side  wolud  tear  off  blocks  of  rock  which  would 
be  either  rolled  or  pushed  before  it,  frozen  into  it  and 
borne  along-  with  it.  Thus  it  would  grind  and  plane 
down  the  face  of  the  reg-ion  over  which  it  moved, 
tearing-  out  great  blocks  of  rock  from  their  beds, 
crushing-  and  breaking-  these  into  smaller  masses  and 
grinding-  the  smaller  frag-ments  into  powder.  Besides 
its  grinding-  action  on  the  rocks  over  which  it  traveled 
would  form  a  great  quantity  of  very  fine  material  such 
as  would  g-o  to  make  clay.  Now  this  is  just  what  has 
happened  and  we  conclude  that  there  must  have  been 
a  time  when  a  larg-e  tract  of  country  to  the  north  of 
Michig-an  and  Wisconsin  was  covered  by  an  immense 
deposit  of  ice, 

We  will  now  consider  the  strata  beolow  the  coal 
measures.  We  should  have  below  the  coal  measures 
some  beds  called  the  Sub  Carboniferous,  but  they  do 
not  exist;  then  the  Devonian  and  we  find  nothing-  of  it; 
below  it  the  Silurian  upper  and  lower,  but  we  find  no 
upper  Silurian— the -Niag-ara  belong-s  to  that— and  we 
have  but  little  of  the  lower  Silurian.  We  find  in  a 
few  places  a  gray,  or  yellowish  gray,  hard,  half  crys- 
talline limestone  which  the  fossils  prove  to  be  the 
Trenton  limestone,  a  member  of  the  lower  Silurian 
group.  It  occurrs  on  Covel  Creek,  a  half  a  mile 
from  its  mouth.  About  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of  the 
court  house,  Ottawa,  near  the  east  line  of  La  Salle 
township  on  the  C.  R.  I.  &  P.  R.  R.,  near  the  villag-e 
of  Troy  Grove,  along-  the  Big-  Vermillion  river  from 
Lowell  to  Deer  Park  Canyon  at  intervals  and  in  a  few 
pls.ces  on  the  Fox  river.  Below  it  lies  a  soft,  friable, 
g-enerally  lig-ht  colored,  often  white,  sandstone  known 
as  the  St.  Peter's  Sandstone,  which  is  g-enerally  rap- 
idly wasted  awray  by  the  weather.  It  is  larg-ely  com- 
posed of  pure  silica,  This  is  the  upper  member  of  the 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY.  7 

upper  Cambrian.  This  rock  forms  the  bluffs  of  the 
Fox  river  and  those  of  the  Illinois  from  a  mile  west  of 
Ottawa  to  Utica 

Below  the  St.  Peters  Sandstone  we  find  five  or  six 
feet  of  a  very  porous,  yellowish,  arenaceous  limestone 
and  below  a  series  of  bedded,  blue,  hard,  argilla- 
ceous limestones,  the  representatives  of  the  calciferous 
sand  rock  of  New  York.  It  occurs  in  the  river  bottom 
at  Utica  and  in  the  north  bluff  west  of  Utica  for  about 
two  miles.  It  is  the  well  known  cement  rock  from 
which  hydraulic  cement  a  water  lime  is  made.  It  will 
be  seen  from  a  reference  to  the  tabular  view  on  the 
next  pa^e  that  the  geologic  series  of  the  state  is 
marked  by  the  absence  of  many  members  and  that  of 
La  Salle  County  is  still  more  brief  than  that  of  the 
state.  But  the  reader  who  would  know  more  on  this 
subject  we  must  refer  to  the  article  "Geology"  in 
Part  II  of  this  work  where  these  questions  are  con- 
sidered. 

Prom  the  variety  of  rocks  of  such  widely  different 
ages,  it  is  at  once  apparent  that  we  must  have  a  great 
variety  of  soils,  clay,  sand,  with  or  without  lime  and 
magnesia,  and  these  materials  mixed  in  every  possible 
proportion,  with  iron,  sulphur,  gypsum,  for  this  is 
found  all  through  the  coal  measures,  with  or  without 
water  and  here  and  there  considerable  quantities  of 
peat  thrown  in  and  some  salt  and  we  have  the  ingredi- 
ents of  an  almost  endless  variety  of  soil  sand  accommo- 
dations for  plants  of  very  diverse  characters  and  re- 
quirements. Nor  is  this  all.  The  low-lying  sheltered 
nooks  of  the  great  valleys  are  never  visited  by  the  ex- 
treme cold  of  the  high  and  more  exposed  prairies  and 
offer  a  safe  retreat  for  the  more  delicate  of  nature's 
beutiful  children. 


8  BOTANY  OF  I<A  SALINE  COUNTY. 

Thus  1he  circumstances  are  exceedingly  favorable 
to  the  existence  of  a  numerous  and  interesting  flora 
and  the  student  having*  reasoned  thus  finds  on  inves- 
tigation that  he  has  made  no  mistake  in  his  reasoning 
but  that  the  result  fully  sustains  his  judgment. 


OQ 


g 


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t/3 


o    ^ 

Is 

5  § 


fa" 
I— I 

> 


a 

a 


a 

S 


.  c8 

co  o 
3  O 


—  ^  ft,.,  03 


«       o 


10  BOTANY  OF  IvA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY. 

The  St.  Peter's  Sandstone  is -a  soft  friable  rock, 
some  areas  composed  of  almost  pure  quartz,  in  other 
places  containing1  considerable  extraneous  matter.  Its 
weathering1,  and  it  gives  way  to  the  action  of  air 
and  water  very  rapidly,  gives  rise  to  beds  of  white, 
almost  pure  sand. 

The  Trenton  limestone  is  less  obdurate  than  the 
calciferous  and  has  contributed  considerable  calcareous 
matters  to  the  soils  where  it  is  exposed, 

The  coal  measures  are  made  up  of  limestones,  shales, 
clays  and  sandstones,  the  latter  often  carrying-  much 
pyrite-bisulphide  of  iron.  The  same  is  true  of  some  of 
the  clays  also  and  some  of  them  contain  a  considerable 
quantity  of  gypsum  crystals—the  Selenite  of  the  min- 
eralogist. These  carboniferous  clays  form  a  most  in- 
tractible  soil  and  require  years  of  exposure  to  prepare 
them  for  sustaining1  vegetation  of  any  kind. 

We  may  thus  expect  to  find  a  great  variety  of  soils 
in  the  county  for  the  debris  of  each  of  the  formations 
mentioned  above  is  mixed  in  an  infinite  variety  of  pro- 
portions with  each  of  the  others  as  well  as  with  the 
waste  of  the  drift  clays,  loams  and  sands,  and  these 
occur  in  situations  where  they  are  saturated  with 
water  the  year  round,  where  only  moderately  moisten- 
ed and  where  they  retain  but  Jittle  water.  Besides 
all  this  mixture  and  the  consequent  variety  of  soils 
there  are  some  limited  deposits  of  peat,  adding1  another 
and  a  very  diverse  element  to  the  already  extensive 
list. 

Climate.  The  climate  is  a  decidedly  continental 
one,  that  is  it  is  noted  for  its  rapid  and  extensive 
changes.  The  thermometer  in  summer  often  rises 
above  90  deg1.  and  sometimes  to  100  deg1.  or  more  and 
in  winter  often  sinks  to  25  or  30  deg1.  and  even  lower. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,IvE  COUNTY.  11 

The  writer  has  seen  a  change  of  from  20  deg.  to  -5 
deg.  in  two  and  a  half  hours  and  from  22  to  -15  deg.  in 
six  and  a  half  hours  and  from  half  past  two  p.  m.  to  7 
a.  m.  the  change  was  from  22  deg.  to  -22  deg.  a  range 
of  44  deg.  in  sixteen  and  a  half  hours.  The  changes 
from  cold  to  warm  are  almost  as  rapid  and  range  over 
25  deg.  or  more  from  6  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.  The  result  is 
a  summer  with  many  excessively  hot,  sultry  days,  the 
heat  being  greater  than  at  New  Orleans  at  the  same 
time  and  much  more  oppressive,  for  there,  there  is 
generally  a  fresh,  breeze  blowing  and  the  nights  are 
cool  and  one  can  sleep  very  comfortably,  while  in  L/a 
Salle  County  there  is  often  little  or  no  wind  and  the 
nights  are  as  close  and  stifling  as  the  days,  and  a  win- 
ter with  many  days  as  cold  as  at  Minneapolis. 

The  valleys  of  the  Illinois,  Pox  and  Big  Vermillion 
being  from  150  to  240  feet  below  the  level  of  the 
prairie  are  warmer  and  in  sheltered  nooks,  one  there 
often  finds  plants,  especially,  Sambucus  pubescens, 
putting  forth  buds  two  or  three  weeks  earlier  than 
they  do  on  the  adjacent  highland  and  blooming  much 
earlier,  and  hence  some  plants  are  confined  to  these 
places,  which  seem  especially  calculated  for  their  ac- 
commodation. 

It  should  be  noticed,  however,  that  the  lower  parts 
of  the  prairies  are  always  the  first  to  show  the  effects 
of  frost,  the  highest  points  being  generally  the  last  to 
become  brown  and  sere  from  its  assaults.  We  have 
seen  the  cotton  plant,  Gossypium  herbaceum,  in  Farm 
Ridge  township  long  after  the  cornfields  were  brown 
and  ice  as  thick  as  window  glass  had  formed  more 
than  once  on  the  pools  of  the  lower  country,  lying  on 
either  side  of  the  ridge.  It  is  also  to  be  observed  that 
fruit  trees  on  the  ridge  and  near  the  bluffs  bear  more 
regnlarly  than  those  on  the  lower  lands.  The  valleys 


12  BOTANY  OF  L,A  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 

often  escape  frosts  which  devastate  the  prairies  from 
being-  sheltered  by  excessive  fogs,  which  in  the  autumn 
are  very  frequent  and  not  altogether  unknown  in  the 
spring. 

The  winds  of  summer  are  largely  from  the  south- 
west or  some  point  near  it,  with  some  from  the  south- 
east and  an  occasional  breeze  from  the  northwest  and 
northeast.  The  southwest  winds  are  often  dry  and 
warm  and  very  unpleasant,  but  during  the  winter  they 
are  our  most  chilly  winds,  at  least  for  the  first  day 
or  half  day  of  their  continuance.  Northeast  winds  are 
very  common  in  April  and  May  and  are  generally  damp 
and  chilly.  Northwest  winds  are  common  but  not 
pervailing  winds  through  the  winter  and  while  cold  are 
often  as  dry  and  take  up  moisture  with  as  much  avidity 
as  the  southwester  of  summer. 

We  have  then  a  very  changeable  climate  with  ex- 
tremes of  heat  and  cold  and  during  most  of  the  year 
rapid  evaporation,  the  dry  atmosphere  sucking  up 
moisture  with  great  rapidity,  drying  up  the  ground 
and  checking  the  growth  of  vegetation  and  sometimes 
rendering  abortive  all  the  farmers'  eiforts  to  secure  a 
crop.  Such  a  climate  seems  to  require  some  more  reg- 
ular supply  of  water  than  our  rains  furnish  and  we 
believe  irrigation  would  be  found  profitable  and  once 
introduced  would  come  rapidly  into  favor. 

We  have  made  no  comparison  of  the  mean  annual 
temperature  of  Ottawa  and  other  places  because  such 
a  comparison'  is  to  the  last  degree  misleading  and  de- 
lusive, Let  one  reflect  for  a  moment  on  what  mean 
annual  temperature  means.  Suppose  we  have  two 
places  of  which  the  mean  annual  temperature  is  50  deg. 
What  does  this  tell  us  about  their  climate?  Nothing 
whatever!  These  figures  would  seem  to  indicate  that 
they  had  the  same  or  similar  climates.  But  if  we  take 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  13 

the  mean  of  the  six  warmer  months  and  that  of  the 
six  colder  months  to  obtain  our  mean,  we  may  have  for 
the  first  80  deg.  and  for  the  latter  20  deg-.,  for  80 
plus  20  divided  by  2  equals  50;  or  we  may  have  70  plus 
30  divided  by  2  equals  50;  or  60  plus  40  divided  by  2 
equals  50;  or  50  plus  50  divided  bv  2  equals  50.  Of 
these  the  first  would  indicate  a  warm  summer  and  a 
cold  winter,  the  last  a  very  equable  climate,  or  very 
little  if  any  difference  between  summer  and  winter. 
Such  comparisons  are  therefore  the  sheerest  humbug-, 
making-  things  appear  alike  which  have  no  possible  re- 
semblance and  conveying-  totally  false  ideas.  Besides 
they  neglect  other  very  important  elements  of  climate 
—moisture  and  its  distribution  through  the  year. 

If  we  take  the  monthly .  means  of  temperature  for 
the  year  we  g-et  a  better  idea  of  the  climate  of  a  region, 
but  these  will  be  to  no  little  extent  modified  by  local 
causes  and  must  be  reg-arded  as  only  approximately 
correct  for  places  even  a  short  distance  from  the 
place  of  observation.  Especially  is  this  true  of  the 
table  of  temperature  given  below,  for  Ottawa  is 
but  484  feet  above  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  while  some 
points  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county  reach  an 
altitude  of  over  800  feet,  and  many  points  are  700  to 
750  feet  above  sea-level, 

We  are  able  to  check  the  Ottawa  observations,  made 
for  the  United  States  Weather  Bureau,  by  a  series 
kept  at  Farm  Ridg-e,  ten  miles  southwest  of  Ottawa 
on  a  hig-h  ridg-e,  not  less  than  700  ft.  above  sea-level, 
but  with  a  less  accurate  thermometer  and  with  lesc* 
attention  to  the  time  of  observation,  as  they  were 
made  with  no  intention  of  publishing-  them. 

In  the  following  table  we  g-ive  the  hig-hest  and  low- 
est temperature  for  e°ch  month,  instead  of  the  mean 
temperature. 


14 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 


Monthly  temperature  for  the  years  as  given  from 
the  observations  made  by  Dr.  J.  O.  Harris,  for 
U.  S.  Weather  Bureau,  at  Ottawa: 


MONTH. 

1870 

1872 

1887 

1888 

1890    |    1891 

January  

54      0 
57    -3 
62      2 
87    33 
93    96 
105    55 
104    60 
99    55 
90    49 
74    34 
88    26 
58    -9 

40    -13 
44    -13 
64      14 
74      32 

88      42 
86      53 
98      58 
89      58 
93      47 
55      25 
60      19 
58        8 

52    -26 

54        6 

46    -21 

46    -20 
60        0 
83      20 
84      36 
93      50 
93      56 
95      50 
80      34 
76      32 
76      16 
55      12 

61      0 
67  -11 
64    -1 

82    17 
90    32 
98    44 
102    48 
101    44 
90    34 
80    28 
70    23 
56    10 

56      15 
54        3 
63        6 
82      23 
80      31 
95      54 
98      49 
96      46 
91      41 
85      21 
63        8 
50      12 

February           .        ... 

March  

61       12 
82      22 
89      51 
93      54 
99      60 
94      50 
89      34 
80      18 
67      -4 
52    -14 

April  

May  

June  

July  

August              ...       <  .  . 

September  

October  

November  :  .  .  . 

December  

Mean  

51  62 
25.41 

47.73 
'39.42 

48.44 

28.76 

48.44 
30.81 

51.96 
32.16 

49  00 
46.12 

Rainfall  in  inches  

A  careful  examination  of  the  above  table  will  give 
one  a  better  idea  of  temperature  prevailing-  at  Otta- 
wa than  would  many  pag-es  of  description.  It  will  be 
seen  that  the  mean  annual  temperature  does  not  vary 
much,  but  that  the  components  from  which  it  is 
derived  differ  considerably  from  year  to  year. 

Warmest  and  coldest  day  of  several  years,  and  date 
of  first  and  last  frost: 

1882:  Coldest  day,  Dec.  7,  -13;  warmest,  June  30, 
76  deg-.  at  sunrise.  Last  frost,  May  2,  30  deg-. 

1883:  Coldest,  Jan,  23,  -22;  warmest,  Aug-.  19,  70 
degf.  at  sunrise,  88  deg-.  at  2:  P.  M.,  99  deg-.  at  3:40 
p.  M.  Last  frost,  April  29,  30  deg-.;  first  frost,  Sept. 
9,  35  de<?. 

1884:     Coldest  day,  Jan.  5,  -30. 

1885:     Coldest  day,  Jan.  28,  -24. 

1890:     Coldest  day,  Jan.  22,  -6. 

The  above  data  are  from  the  observations  of  Rev. 
J.  P.  Heister,  of  Farm  Ridg-e.  Temperature  at  sun- 
rise. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  15 

Temperature  at,  or  near,  sunrise,  at  Ottawa  and  at 
Bvarm  Ridg-e: 

Day.      January.      February.         March.  April. 


1  

31 

29  

5 

10  

.  .  .  .  30 

34  

27 

36 

2  

32 

33  

12 

16  

.  .  .  .  30 

30  

.  ..  37 

30 

3  .  .  .  : 

.....  31 

32  .... 

24 

25  

.  .  .  .  57 

40  

.  ..  45 

46 

4  

28 

27  

3 

6  

.  .  45 

50.  .  .. 

.  37 

46 

5  

19 

24  

....  15 

17  

.  ..  51 

51  

.  ..  35 

40 

6  

28 

29  

29 

30 

32 

39..  . 

34 

5ft 

7  ...  , 

1 

8  ... 

...  36 

36 

21 

33 

.  34 

40 

8  

11 

11  

30 

30  

37 

30  

27 

41 

9.... 

24 

25  

35 

36  

.  ...  42 

34  

....  32 

35 

10  

14 

16  

...  20 

26  

.  ...  41 

44  

36 

38 

11  

26 

26  

13 

16  

.  ..  33 

38  

33 

37 

12  

13 

16  

11 

25  

;...  35 

40.... 

29 

38 

13  ..., 

....  26 

25  

21 

15 

47 

49  

30 

35 

14  ... 

36 

38  

29 

23  . 

27 

33...  . 

,  42 

47 

15  . 

...  38 

37  .. 

13 

15 

35 

38 

47 

58 

16 

..  39 

40 

9 

5 

33 

34 

48 

58 

17  

....  42 

41  

.  ..  36 

37  

.  ..  -59 

51...  . 

55 

61 

18  

29 

32  

16 

22  

57 

60  

61 

65 

19.... 

25 

44  

19 

19  

47 

48  

.  ...  56 

61 

20  

49 

49  

7 

10...... 

.  ...  47 

50  

40 

42 

21.... 

22 

-5 

0. 

.  ..52 

58.  ... 

,  ...  41 

46 

22  .. 

14 

17 

....  3 

8  .... 

.  ...  43 

45.... 

40 

43 

23  ... 

...  19 

18 

...  1 

5., 

...  32 

35 

32 

4?, 

24 

..  .-10 

-5 

-5 

0 

.  34 

32 

35 

4?, 

25 

..-20 

-14 

2 

0 

8 

11 

37 

49 

26 

.  3 

7 

11 

17 

9 

13 

12 

5ft 

27  ..., 

4 

7  

...  30 

32....  .'. 

.  ...  15 

22.... 

53 

64 

28  .... 

9 

10  ... 

..  .  31 

32.  

.  ...  30 

34  

56 

6ft 

29  .. 

30 

22  

8 

12  

55 

65 

30  .. 

....  7 

11  .. 

25 

35..... 

.....  62 

66 

31.. 

9 

11.. 

.  39 

42.. 

*>-The  first  column  for  each  month  gives  the  temper- 
ature at  Farm  Ridg-e  at,  or  near,  sunrise;  the  second, 
that  at  Ottawa,  at  7:00  A.  M.  The  difference  in  ele- 
vation of  the  two  stations  is  not  less  -than  200  feet. 
The  distance  in  an  air  line  is  about  nine  and  one-half 
miles  S.  S.  W.  from  Ottawa.  • 

Rain  Fall.  The  total  rainfall  for  the  year  1894 
was  27.70  inches,  for  1893  it  was  31.04,  while  during- 
1887  it  was  29.7,  for  1878  it  was  18.73  only,  As  a 
rule  the  latter  part  of  winter  and  the  spring-  are  wet, 
the  summer  and  fall  dry.  There  is  usually  an  abun- 
dance of  rain  until  the  last  of  May  of  middle  or  June, 


16 


BOTANY  OF  L,A  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 


then  very  little  until  October  or  November.  Besides 
the  rains— thunder  showers—of  the  spring-  and  summer 
are  generally  local,  being1  often  confined  to  narrow 
strips  of  country,  so  that  the  moisture  is  very  unevenly 
distributed.  We  have  records  of  rainfall  for  Ottawa 

only. 

Rainfall  for  each  month  of  the  year   given  from  ob- 
servations of  Dr.  J.  O.  Harris,  Ottawa,  111: 


MONTH. 

1887 

1888 

1889 

1890 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

January  

1.80 

1.91 

1.94 

2.36 

1.45 

2.20 

2.38 

February  

1.88 

1.16 

1.40 

2.28 

1.52 

3.03 

1.58 

March  

3.70 

1.77 

3.33 

2.56 

2.70 

3.30 

2.57 

April  

.39 

1.23 

244 

1.87 

3.96 

3.56 

5.23 

1.51 

May  

1.08 

5.30 

4.36 

3.99 

1.84 

13.09 

1.35 

4.01 

June     

1.96 

2.01 

4.61 

6.87 

3.99 

10.56 

2.49 

3.03 

July  

1.17 

3.58 

5.67 

.34 

4.45 

4.92 

1.02 

0.80 

August  

3.06 

1,77 

2.00 

2.72 

5.11 

.81 

.77 

1  75 

September  
October  

2.77 
2.86 

.60 
2.71 

3.92 
1.51 

2.48 
3.89 

127 
.56 

2.56 
.63 

2.29 
1.10 

7.18 
1.63 

November.  ... 
December 
Total. 

2.17 
3.33 
18.73 

3.58 
222 
30.47 

312 
180 
3427 

2.06 
.27 
31.16 

4.75 
1.74 
35,07 

2.48 
1.84 
45.08 

5.50 
2.16 
31,04 

2.07 
1.19 

27.70 

The  country  six  to  eight  miles  north  of  Ottawa  fre- 
quently has  heavy  showers  in  the  summer  when  no  rain 
falls  at  Ottawa.  At  times  showers  seem  to  follow 
the  Illinois  valley,  and  often  one  seems  to  divide  west 
of  the  Big  Vermilion  and  one  part  of  it  to  go  along  the 
Illinois,  the  other  to  keep  south  of  the  ridge  east  of 
the  Big  Vermillion. 

The  country  south  of  the  Illinois  river  and  for  3  or 
4  miles  north  of  it  seems  to  receive  less  rain  and  to 
suffer  more  from  drought  than  that  farther  north  and 
cyclones  have  visited  no  parts  of  the  county  except 
the  extreme  northern  in  Meriden  and  ICarl  townships. 
Hailstorms  are  not  common.  On  one  occasion  much 
harm  was  done  vegetation  to  the  west  of  the  Big  Ver- 
million and  twice  we  have  seen  the  tracks  of  destruc- 
tive hail  storms  in  Northville  township. 

The  rainfall  during  thunder  storms  is  sometimes  ex- 
cessive and  causes  tremendous  floods  in  the  small 
streams,  which  are  sometimes  swollen  to  10,000  times 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAI^E  COUNTY.  17 

their  ordinary  dimension.  In  June,  1897,  we  saw 
where  a  stream  ordinarily  a  foot  wide  and  three  inches 
deep  had  been  20  rods  wide  and  on  an  average 
3^  feet  deep,  with  a  current  of  not  less  than  six  miles 
per  hour.  Such  storms  do  great  damage  by  furrow- 
ing the  ploughed  fields  and  carrying-  away  most  of  the 
loose  earth,  in  some  places  washing-  out  plants,  in 
others  hopelessly  burying-  them.  Besides  bridg-es  are 
swept  away,  fences  destroyed  and  fields  covered  with 
masses  of  floodwood.  Such  storms  do  not  occur 
every  year,  but  seem  to  become  more  frequent  and  de- 
structive. This  probably  arises  from  the  cutting1  off 
of  timber,  the  drainag-e  of  ponds  and  sloug-hs,  and  of 
all  low,  wet  tracts  of  land  by  which  means  the  water, 
instead  of  collecting-  in  the  low  places  as  it  once  did 
and  soaking- into  the  ground,  now  rushes  into  the  near- 
est stream  to  swell  its  volume  and  increase  its  destruc- 
tive power. 

While  draining-  may  be  a  blessing-,  it  may  be  a  curse 
and  productive  of  more  damag-e  than  g-ood.  Such  work 
must  be  intelligently  executed  to  be  productive  of 
g-ood  and  the  intelligence  has  not  always  been  mani- 
fest in  the  execution. 

We  cannot  in  this  connection  tod  strong-ly  call  at- 
tention to  the  evil  effects  of  cutting-  off  the  forest  from 
the  lands  along-  our  streams.  And  here  it  will  be  best 
to  state  a  few  g-eneral  principles. 

I.  Reg-ions  covered  with  forest  receive  no  more  rain 
than  districts    destitute  of    trees.     Other  conditions: 
distance  from  the  sea,  elevation   and  direction  of  pre- 
vailing- winds  being-  the  same. 

II.  Destruction  of  forest  does  not  diminish  rainfall. 

III.  Destruction  of  forest  does  facilitate  the  escape 
of  water,    tends    to  produce    floods    and    to    destroy 
spring's. 


18  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

/• 

IV.  Clothing-  a  region  with  forest  tends  to  diminish 
floods,  to  create  ponds  and  swamps  to  prevent  exten- 
sive washing-  of  slopes  and  to  diminish  landslides. 

For  those  who  think,  the  above  proposil  ions  require 
no  argument,  (but  all  men  do  not  think,)  we  will 
therefore  say,  the  land  of  a  forest  is  covered  each 
autumn  with  a  layer  of  leaves  and  rubbi«h  forming-  a 
cloak  as  it  were  that  absorbs  and  holds  much  water, 
retards  its  flow  over  the  surface  and  checks  and  regu- 
lates evaporation;  hence  streams  do  not  rise  so  fast  in 
a  wooded  region  as  in  a  naked  one.  The  roots  of  the 
trees  bind  the  soil  together,  resist  washing,  and  tend 
to  prevent  furrowing. 

Already  the  effects  of  the  removal  of  the  forest  may 
be  seen  in  the  excessive  washing  of  the  denuded  bluffs, 
extensive  landslides,  the  sudden  rise  of  streams  during 
heavy  falls  of  rain.  In  the  meantime  these  lands  pro- 
duce little  pasture  and  are  of  little  value  for  agricul- 
ture, as  they  are  usually  parched  by  droug-ht  for  two  or 
three  months  of  the  year  and  the  surface  is  then  dust, 
the  vegetation  brown  and  dry.  , 

With  proper  care  these  timbered  tracts  might  be 
made  a  source  of  regular  income  from  their  yield  of 
timber,  a  purpose  for  which  they  are  well  fitted 
while  as  pasture  or  farming  land  they  have  little  value, 
not  that  grain  and  g-rass  will  not  grow  on  them  but 
that  they  cannot  be  depended  upon  to  produce  crops 
unless  a  supply  of  water  can  be  made  sure  and  this 
involves  irrigation  and  considerable  expense  at  the 
outset,  besides  protection  from  washing  during  heavy 
rains  and  landslides  during  wet  seasons  and  in  spring. 

Tables  of  elevation  of  principal  points  in  La  Salle 
County,  most  of  these  \Vere  obtained  directly  from  the 
Chief  Engineer  of  the  railway  on  whose  line  the  place 
is  located. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY. 


19 


C.B.  &Q.  R. 

R 

C.  R.  1.  &P, 

K.  R. 

A.,  T.  &  S.  Fe  R.  R. 

Sheridan  .... 

591  ft. 
644.4 
635.4 
525.5 
542.9 
484.4 
602.4 
652.8 
644.3 
621.9 
639.6 
650.6 
467.4 
702.2 
702.2 
TRAL. 

860ft. 
758 
725 
675 
52? 
562 
671 
714 
711 
722 
777 

Sene.:a  .. 

520  ft. 
494 
488 
482 
465 
469 

471' 

L,TON. 

631  ft 
631 
744 
686 
650 
669,7 
635 

Kinsman  

654,88  ft. 
705  16 

Sheridan  June. 
Serena  

Marseilles  
Ottawa    

Streator  

624.57 
.    624.83 
62996 

VVedron.  

Utica        

Daytoa  
Ottawa  

La  Salle   

Peru            

Eureka  ...  ... 
Long  Point  ... 

939.01 
.     640.65 
671.67 

Hitt       

Spring  Valley.. 
De  Pue  

Grand  Ridge  .. 
Richards  

CHICAGO  &  A 

Streator  

Minonk 

751.06 

Streator    

C.  &  N.  W 

DeKalb 

.  R.  R. 

896  ft 
816 
696 

Kangley 

Tioona  

La  Salle 

Peru  
Earlville  
ILLINOIS  CEJS 
Bureau  Siding. 
M  endota  

Smithsdale  
Ulackstone 
Nevada  

Shabbona  — 
Earlville  

Homer  

G'irfield 

689 

Dinimick 

Muuster  

Spring  Valley 

685 

Oglesty  

The  highest 
north  part  of 
feet  above  the 

.point  in  the  county 
Meriden  township, 
Gulf  of  Mecxico. 

is  in  the 
over  860 

Tonica    .'  . 

Lostant 

Woncna  

Rutland  

Minonk  

Distribution  of  Plants.  From  what  has  been 
said  of  the  diversity  of  soils  and  the  physical  charac- 
teristics of  La  Salle  County,  the  reader  will  not  be 
surprised  when  we  claim  for  it  a  very  extensive  flora, 
nor  wonder  that  some  plants  are  confined  to  a  very 
limited  area,  for  plants  have  as  distinct  likes  and  dis- 
likes as  have  human  beings,  or  it  may  be  nearer  the 
truth  to  say,  that  some  require  one  element  for  their 
support,  others  another.  Some  flourish  best  in  a  soil 
rich  in  lime,  others  prefer  sand,  and  still  others  a  mix- 
ture of  the  two.  Some  flourish  only  in  wet  lands, 
others  in  wet  regions.  Yet  making-  due  allow- 
ance for  all  these  differences  some  are  not  found  where 
we  should  confidently  look  for  them;  while  some  occur 
and  appear  to  be  vigorous  and  healthy  where  one 
would  not  expect  to  meet  with  them.  Many  are 
found  but  sparingly  and  several  are  restricted  to  very 
narrow  bounds  For  instance,  we  have  found  Orchis 
Spectablis  at  only  one  place  and  heard  of  its  being- 
found  in  another;  of  Osmunda  regalis  we  have  seen 


20  BOTANY  OF  IvA  SALLE  COUNTY.   ' 

three  plants  and  these  are  all  within  an  80  acre  lot; 
Habernaria— Plantanthera  of  Wood—Psycodes  two  or 
three  times  and  in  widely  separated  localities.  Good- 
yera  pubescens  in  two  widely  separated  localities; 
Antigrainma  rhizophylla  —  walking-  fern --at  three 
places;  Poterium  canadiense--Sanguisorba  Wood— at 
one  place;  Cypripedium  we  have  found  south  of  the 
Illinois  river  only;  Gentiana  crinita  in  but  four  places; 
Nymphia  odorata  three  localities.  This  list  might  be 
greatly  extended,  but  the  above  will  suffice  to  show 
how  strangely  plants  are  distributed. 

About  two  miles  west  of  the  court  house  at  Ottawa 
is  a  tract  of  land  presenting-  a  great  variety  of  soil 
rang-ing-  from  naked  sandstone  through  loose  sand  to  a 
peat  bog-  and  having-  extending  across  it  a  bed  of  lime- 
stone. Parts  of  it  are  very  wet,  others  are  dry,  and 
here  we  find  a  flora  altogether  different  from  that  of 
any  other  tract  known  to  us.  Again,  several  plants 
flourish  south  of  the  Illinois  river,  which  either  are  not 
found  at  all  or  very  sparingly,  north  of  the  river  as 
Quercup  imbricaria,  Gillenia  stipulacea,  &c. 

Many  plants  once  common  are  becoming  scarce. 
Among  these  may  be  mentioned  Spiranthes  cernua, 
and  S.  gracilis,  Cypripedium  pubescens,  C.  spectabile, 
Jeffersonia  diphylla,  the  L/iatri,  once  very  common, 
Orchis  spectabile  aud  the  Gentians.  In  some  sections 
of  the  country,  especially  where  hogs  have  run  at  large 
and  where  sheep  have  been  pastured  for  some  years 
nearly  all  the  flowering  plants  have  vanished  and  the 
woods  have  for  the  botanist  a  lonely  and  deserted 
aspect.  To  many  plants— the  L/iatri— cultivation  means 
death,  while  the  more  hardy  Silphii,  if  not  benefited, 
are  at  least  not  exterminated  by  the  cultivator's  efforts. 
Oxalis  violacea  holds  its  own  however  much  the  soil 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALrL,E  COUNTY. 


21 


is  stirred,  but  the  Orchids  soon  disappear  when  dis- 
turbed. It  is  probable  that  a  few  years  will  suffice  to 
destroy  some  of  our  most  beautiful  flowering-  plants — 
the  Liatri,  Castilleia,  Gentian.  It  is  much  to  be  re- 
'gretted  that  a  small  tract  of  land  in  its  natural  state 
could  not  have  been  reserved  as  a  park  and  the  native 
plants  g-iven  a  home  secure  from  the  snout  of  the  hog-, 
the  teeth  of  the  sheep,  and  from  fire  and  the  ploug-h. 
To  coming-  g-enerations  many  of  them  will  be  thing's 
of  which  they  have  no  idea  except  as  it  is  g-athered 
from  books  and  poor  pictures. 

If  we  compare  our  flora  with  that  of  a  part  of  north- 
ern Ohio,  lying-  near  Cleveland,  we  shall  find  much 
that  is  similar  as  the  following-  list  will  show.  The 
dash  indicates  that  the  plant  is  wanting-. 


Illinois. 


Ohio. 


Climatis  Virgin!  ana 

Vioraa    

Auirnone  Oaroliniana 

Virginiana 

Oylindraca 

Pensylvaniea 

Nemorosa.  rare 

Thalictroiiles 

Hopatica  vEntitoba 

Acutiloba 

Thai  ctrum    Dioeum 

Cormuti 

Ranunculus  Muttifldus 

Cymbadaria 

A'bortivus 

Far.icularis 

Repens 

Recur vatus 

Myosurus  Minimus 

Caltna  Pa.ustris 

Aquilegia  Ganadensis 

Delphinum  Tricorne.  rare  

Actea  Soicata  Var  Alba  .  

Liriodedron  Tulipifera.  not  native 

and  rare 

Asimina  Triloba 

Menispermum  Canadense 

Berberis  Vulgaris 

Jeffenonla  Diphylla 

Podophyllum  Peltatum 


Triloba 


Rare 


Native,  common, 


It  will  thus  be  seen  that  most  of  our  ranunculaceae 
are  found  there,  but  that  several  plants  conspicuous 
here  are  wanting-  in. that  reg-ion.  Among-  the  Violacea 


22  BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,IvE  COUNTY. 

lauceolata,  pedata  and  hastata  are  wanting1,  while 
blanda,  rostrata  and  cucullata  are  abundant.  Among- 
Compositae  the  Iviatrii  and  Kuhnia  are  wanting-  as 
also  Rudibeckia,  except  hirta  and  that  has  been  intro- 
duced from  the  west  and  several  species  of  Solidago, 
Helianthus,  and  several  other  genera  are  wanting-  or 
represented  by  one  or  two  species  only. 

Fifty  miles  west  of  Cleveland  the  Flora  underg-oes  a 
great  chang-e.  The  Liatrii  appear,  Ipomea  panduratus 
flourishes  and  many  otrer  plants  common  to  the  prairies 
are  found.  The  northwest  corner  of  Indiana  presents 
a  flora  very  different  from  either  ours  or  that  of  north- 
ern Ohio.  As  compared  with  either  it  is  rich  in 
Ericaceae  and  is  more  like  that  of  Marquette,  Michi- 
g-an,  than  either  of  those  mentioned.  The  difference 
extends  to  forest  trees  and  also  to  Cryptogams.  In 
the  Michigan  and  Indiana  districts  ferns  are  few  and 
mosses  are  scarce.  Our  district  has  more  ferns  than 
northern  Ohio,  but  here  Osmunda  reg-alis  is  but  seldom 
seen,  there  it  is  found  in  every  swampy  tract,  while 
Asplenium,  Adiantum,  Onoclea,  Pteris  are  as  common 
as  they  are  here,  but  Antigramma  and  Pellea  are  not 
seen  and  WoodwTardia  not  found  here,  flourishes  in  peat 
bogs  there. 

Among-  forest  trees  northern  Ohio  has  all  which  are 
to  be  found  here  and  in  addition  to  those,  the  beech, 
fagus  ferruginea,  liriodendron,  tulipifera,  castanea 
vesca,  nyssa  multiflora,  magnolia,  acumminata,  but 
some  species  of  the  oak,  e.  g.  quercus  imbricaria  are 
unknown  to  its  flora,  while  alba  and  macrocarpa  are 
common  to  both  regions. 

The  above  are  but  a  few  examples  of  the  differences 
to  be  observed  between  the  flora  of  reg-ions  lying-  in 
almost  the  same  lattitude  and  not  far  distant  one  from 
the  other,  or  lying-  in  nearly  the  same  long-itude  as  does 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  23 

the  Marquette  region  of  Michigan  and  Northern  Indi- 
ana, yet  one  3  deg.  farther  north  than  the  other. 

A  Few  Words  of  Explanation.  A  plant  is  made 
up  of  root,  stem,  leaves,  flowers  and  fruit.  The  root 
is  that  part  by  which  it  holds  itself  in  the  ground  or  is 
attached  to  other  plants,  for  some  plants  live  on  others 
and  do  not  send  roots  into  the  ground. 

Roots  are  the  thread  like  fibres  which  penetrate  the 
ground.  They  extend  themselves  by  pushing  out  from 
the  end. 

A  potato,  a  carrot,  a  beet,  a  turnip,  an  onion  are  not 
roots,  but  forms  of  stems.  The  roots  in  each  case  are 
the  little  threads  which  extend  from  the  potato,  carrot, 
onion,  &c,  into  the  ground. 

The  more  extensive  are  the  roots  of  a  plant  the 
greater  the  area  of  soil  from  which  it  draws  its  food 
supply.  If  the  plant  is  a  perennial  the  roots  become 
hard  and  woody  near  the  stem  and  keep  pushing  out 
farther  and  farther  year  by  year.  These  hard,  woody 
roots  are  always  soft  and  spongy  at  the  end  and  this  is 
the  part  that  advances  and  it  is  these  tender  ends  that 
are,  as  it  were,  the  mouths  of  the  plant.  When  they 
are  broken  off  the  roots  which  remain  cannot  gather 
food  until  these  broken  ends  are  repaired  by  new  ones 
being  formed  and  for  this  reason,  when  we  remove  a 
plant  its  growth  is  generally  checked  for  a  time,  be- 
cause it  cannot  collect  food,  unless  we  have  taken 
great  care  to  save  the  roots  from  damage  and  put  them 
back  into  a  good  position  in  the  ground  and  to  press 
the  earth  firmly  and  closely  about  them. 

The  stem  is  that  part  of  the  plant  that  appears  above 
ground  in  most  cases,  but  not  always.  For  the  potato 
is  an  underground  stem,  the  top  is  but  the  branches  of 
the  stem.  So  with  many  other  plants  stems  generally 
branch  or  divide  and  bear  leaves,  flowers  and  fruit. 


24          BOTANY  OF  L,A  SALLE  COUNTY. 

Leaves  are  flat,  thin,  g-enerally  green  bodies  attached 
to  the  stem  or  branches  of  the  plant.  They  vary  won- 
derfully in  shape,  size»and  color. 

We  will  consider  a  few  of  the  many  forms  of  leaf. 

If  it  is  made  up  of  one  piece  or  part,  like  that  of  the 
apple,  plum,  sunflower,  beet,  dandelion;  &c,  it  is  a  sim- 
ple leaf. 

If  made  up  of  two  or  more  pieces  or  parts  like  the 
leaf  of  the  rose,  pea,  clover,  potato,  tomato,  bean, 
locust,  hickory  and  many  others,  it  is  called  a  com- 
pound leaf . 

If  of  three  pieces  like  the  clover,  bean,  &c,  it  is 
trifoliate. 

If  of  five  or  six  pieces  and  shaped  like  the  hand  it  is 
palmately  foliate. 

If  of  several  leaves  arranged  on  both  sides  a  stem  as 
in  the  rose,  pea,  locust,  it  is  pinnate. 

Pinnate  leaves  may  be  made  up  of  an  odd  or  an  even 
number  of  leaflets;  if  of  an  odd  number  there  is  a  leaf 
at  the  end  of  the  stem,  as  in  the  walnut,  hickory, 
tomato;  if  of  an  even  number  the  stem  ends  abruptly 
or  is  continued,  as  in  the  pea,  in  a  tendril,  by  which 
the  plant  sustains  itself. 

A  leaf  that  is  widest  at  the  apex  or  outer  end  and 
tapers  gradually  to  the  base  so  as  to  be  wedg-e-shape, 
is  called  cuneate. 

Leaves  which  are  wider  than  long,  and  shaped  like 
a  kidney,  are  called  reniform. 

A  leaf  that  is  diamond  shaped  is  called  rhomboid. 

A  leaf  having-  more  than  three  sides  is  polygonal. 

If  shaped  like  a  violin  or  fiddle,    it    is  panduriform. 

If  cut  and  toothed,  seppinnatifid  leaf  has  a  larg-e  lobe 
at  the  apex,  it  is  lyrate. 

If  the  margin  of  a  leaf  is  made  up  of  small  curves,  it 
is  sinuate;  if  of  short,  regular  curves,  forming'  low, 


BOTANY  OF  I,  A  SALLE  COUNTY.         25 


rounded  teeth,  it  is  crenate;  if  the  curves  are  long-  and 
g-entle,  it  is  wavy. 

If  the  teeth  point  backward,  they  are  repand;  if  not 
near  tog-ether,  but  with  space  between  them,  they  are 
distant. 

Leaves  which  are  deeply  cut  or  notched,  as  the  oak, 
are  called  lobed. 

If  the  edg-e  of  a  leaf  is  straig-ht  without  notches  or 
curves  it  is  called  entire,  as  the  bean,  pea. 

If  toothed  like  a  saw  it  is  serrate,  as  the  rose. 

If  the  notches  are  larg-e  it  is  toothed,  as  the  elm. 

If  there  are  two  sets  of  notches  one  finer  than  the 
other  it  is  doubly  serrate. 

If  shaped  like  an  eg-g-,  the  stem  at  the  larg-e  end, 
ovate. 

If  shaped  like  an  eg-g-,  the  stem  at  the  small  end 
obovate. 

If  widest  at  the  outer  end  spatulate 

If  rounded  at  the  ends  and  long-er  than  wide,  oval  or 
oblong-. 

If  very  narrow  in  proportion  to  width,  linear  as 
most  grasses. 

If  long-,  narrow,  stiff  and  sharp  pointed,  ensiform, 
as  the  blue  flag-.  If  the  stem  is  near  the  middle  of  an 
entire  leaf  it  is  said  to  be  peltiate  as  the  nasturtium, 

Leaves  may  be  smooth  having-  no  hair  or  down  on 
their  surface. 

Hairy,  clothed  with  hairs,  more  or  less  numerous. 

Wooly  "     soft,  sharp,  white  hairs. 

Downy  "     very  soft,  short,    matted  hairs. 

Roug-h,  having-  a  rough  feel  to  the  hand  like  the  elm. 

Prickly,  clothed  with  stiff,  sharp,  sting-ing-  hairs  or 
prickles. 

Leaves  may  be  thin  like  those  of  the  locust  and 
bass  wood. 


26  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

Thick,  like  the  plantain,  beet. 

Fleshy,  like  the  purslane  and  live  forever. 

Stiff,  like  those  of  the  beech,  ironwood,  and  elm. 

The  leaf  is  made  up  of  two  parts  the  stem  and  blade. 
The  blade  is  the  broad,  green  part. 

The  edge  of  the  leaf  is  the  margin,  the  outer  end  the 
apex,  the  part  next  the  stem  the  base;  the  upper  side, 
the  upper  surface  the  lower  side,  the  lower  surface. 
The  two  surfaces  are  frequently  very  unlike.  They 
may  be  of  very  different  colors,  one  may  be  smooth, 
the  other  rough,  &c;  both  sides  of  the  leaf  should  be 
looked  at. 

The  flower  is  made  up  of  four  pa,rts,  the  calyx, 
corolla,  stamens  and  pistils. 

The  calyx  is  the  outer,  generally  green  envelope  in 
which  the  flower  is  at  first  wrapped  up. 

The  corolla  is  the  colored  leaves  generally  called  the 
flower. 

The  stamens  are  small,  thread  like  columns  at  top  of 
each  of  which  is  a  little  box-like  body,  which  opens 
and  discharges  a  generally  colored  powder  and  then 
withers  away. 

The  pistil  is  a  larger  column,  or  there  may  be  sev- 
eral of  them,  the  base  of  which  enlarges  and  forms  the 
fruit.  This  part  is  called  the  ovary. 

But  the  flowers  of  many  plants  have  no  corolla  and 
some  plants  have  neither  calyx  nor  corolla.  Some- 
times the  stamens  and  pistils  are  separate  but  on  the 
same  plant,  as  in  corn,  where  the  tassel  is  the  stamens, 
the  silk  the  pistils  and  there  is  one  for  each  kernel. 
Sometimes  there  is  a  little  silk  among  the  tassels  and 
then  we  have  some  corn  there.  In  some  cases,  as  in 
some  willows,  the  stamens  are  on  one  plant  and  the 
pistils  are  on  another.  This  is  the  case  \vith  some 
plants,  but  not  many. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALL,E  COUNTY.  27 

The  fruit  or  seed,  for  correctly  speaking1,  a  peapod, 
a  peach,  an  apple,  a  pumpkin,  a  tomato,  a  hickory  nut, 
an  acorn,  and  a  kernel  of  corn  are  all  fruits,  that  is, 
they  are  each  of  them  the  product  of  one  flower,  is 
usually  perfected  in  one  season,  but  in  some  cases  not 
until  the  second  year.  Fruits  differ  much  from  each 
other  and  should  be  carefully  examined. 

The  stem  bearing-  a  leaf  is  called  a  petiole.  I/eaves 
having1  a  stem,  as  those  of  the  apple,  are  said  to  be 
peteolate;  if  they  have  no  stem,  as  in  the  thistle,  they 
are  said  to  be  sessile. 

The  stem  bearing-  a  flower  is  called  a  peduncle; 
flowers  having-  no  stem  are  called  sessile. 

A  stem  having-  no  reg-ular  leaf,  but  one  or  more 
flowers  is  called  a  seape,  as  the  flower  bearing-  stem  of 
the  bloodroot,  hepatica,  oxalis.  Sometimes  there  is  a 
small  leaf  or  a  pair  of  them  at  the  base  of  the  leaf 
stem;  these  are  called  stipules.  They  may  be  very 
small,  no  more  than  bristles,  and  sometimes  fall  off 
soon  after  the  leaf  expands.  Sometimes  there  are 
small  leaves  below  the  flower;  these  are  called  bracts. 
If  we  plant  a  bean  or  squash  seed,  in  time,  two  thick 
leaves  appear  above  ground  and  from  between  these 
other  leaves  will  spring-,  different  in  form  and  larg-er. 
These  first  leaves  are  called  cotyledons  and  most  of 
the  seeds  we  plant  send  up  two  of  them  and  are  called 
dicotyledons  or  two  cotyledons,  di  meaning-  two.  But 
if  we  plant  corn,  wheat,  oats,  only  one  cotyledon  ap- 
pears and  all  plants—the  grass  and  sedg-e  families,  as 
also  the  lilies  and  many  others  having-  but  one  seed 
leaf  are  called  monocotyledons  (mono  meaning  one). 
The  pines  and  their  allies  have  more  than  two  cotyle- 
dons and  may  be  called  polycotyledons. 


28 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALL,E  COUNTY. 


If  now  we  examine  some  plants;  part  dicot}rledons. 
part  monocatyledons,  we  shall  find  many  differences 
between  them;  of  these  the  chief  may  be  summed  up 
as  follows: 


Dicotyledons. 


Monocatyledons. 


Two  seed  leaves 

Stem  branches 

Leaves  various  shaped  often  lobed  — 

Leaves  net  veined  that  is  the 

Veins  run  in  various  directions  and 
run  in  to  each  other  forming  a  net 
work 

Flowers  have  their  parts  in  Is.  2s  or  5s  Calyx  and 

Calyx  and  Corolla  generally  different 
one  from  the  other 

Stamens  2  to  100  or  more 

Pistils  1  to  many 

Fruit  1  to  many,  celled 

Stem  composed  of  bs.rk.  wood  pith 


One  seed  leaf. 

Seldom  branches, 

Leaves  long,  narrow,  parallel  veined. 

Leaves    parallel    veined,  that  is,  they 

are  nearly  parallel  to  the  third  rib 

and  do  not  join  a  net  work. 
Flower  has  its  parts  in  3s. 
corolla  alike. 


Stamens  3,  6. 

Pistils  1.  3,  6. 

Fruit  1.  3.  6  celled. 

No  distinction  of  bark  wood  and  pith. 


Flowers  may  be  alone  or  solitary  one  on  a  peduncle, 
or  in  clusters  variously  arranged.  If  placed  one  above 
the  other  on  a  long  stem  it  is  called  a  spike,  if  on  one 
side  of  the  stem  forming  a  one  sided  spike  it  is  called  a 
raceme;  if  they  form  a  flat  topped  cluster  as  in  elder, 
yarrow,  apple,  it  is  called  a  cyme;  if  the  branches 
bearing-  the  flowers  are  all  the  same  length,  as  in  car- 
away, parsnip,  fennel,  it  is  an  umbel;  if  the  flowers 
have  no  peduncles  but  are  gathered  into  a  close  head  it 
is  a  head  or  capitate  cluster;  if  like  red  top  grass, 
oats,  spirea,  it  is  a  panicle;  if  on  a  thick,  fleshy 
column  like  Jack  in  the  Pulpit,  or  the  wild  turnip  it  is 
a  spadix.  A  perfect  flower  is  one  having  both  stamens 
and  pistils,  and  stamens  and  pistils  alone  constitute  a 
perfect  flower,  although  both  calyx  and  corolla  may  be 
wanting.  If  a  flower  has  no  stamens  or  no  pistils  it  is 
imperfect  ;  if  the  stamens  are  present  it  is  a  staminate 
flower,  if  the  pistils  are  present  we  call  it  pistillate. 

A  flower  is  symmetrical  when  there  is  the  same 
number  of  each  set  of  organs  and  they  are  similarly 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  29 

placed;  otherwise  it  is  unsymmetrical  or   asymetrical. 
The  rose  poppy  and  apple  are  symmetrical. 

Flowers  are  regular  when  all  of  the  same  parts  are 
of  the  same  form  and  size,  if  not  they  are  irregular  as 
the  bean,  pea,  balsam,  &c. 

Flowers  are  also  said  to  be  fertile  or  barren.  A 
fertile  flower  is  one  that  produces  fruit;  as  only  flowers 
having  pistils  can  produce  fruit  fertile  flowers  are  also 
pistilate  flowers  and  the  barren  flowers  are  those  hav- 
ing stamens  only. 

Flowers  may  last  but  a  part  of  a  day,  a  day  or  sev- 
eral days.  Those  lasting  but  a  short  time  are  said  to 
be  evanescent  or  ephemeral. 

The  calyx  and  corolla  sometimes  fall  away,  some- 
times remain,  the  corolla  withering  up,  but  the  calyx 
remaining  green  and  vigorous.  Where  it  falls  off  early 
it  is  said  to  be  caducous. 

Trees,  the  leaves  of  which  fall  every  autumn  are 
said  to  be  deciduous,  those  retaining  their  leaves,  ever- 
green. Most  of  the  evergreens  of  cold  and  temperate 
climates  are  conebearing  or  coniferous  trees,  but  in 
warm  regions  most  of  the  plants  are  evergreen. 

Classification  of  Plants.  While  this  book  is 
not  intended  to  take  the  place  of  treatise  on  Botany, 
it  seems  proper  that  we  should  say  a  few  words  on  the 
classification  of  plants.  If  you  study  the  subject  you 
will  find  that  there  is  not  that  perfect  agreement 
among  those,  who  are  considered  authorities  on  the 
subject  that  would  spring  from  the  certainty  that  they 
are  right,  besides  you  will  learn  that  there  is  more 
than  one  classification,  that  these  differ  greatly,  and 
that  the  views  of  those  who  have  given  most  time  and 
caee  to  these  studies  are  far  from  being  in  accord  on 
many  points.  We  shall  therefore  confine  our  notes  on 
this  part  of  the  subject  to  making  clear  the  meaning  of 


30  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

the  terms,  family  genus,  species  and  variety,  and  how 
the  last  is  produced. 

•  If  we  gather  a  dozen  plants  and  give  them  a  lights 
examination  we  shall  find  no  difficulty  in  detecting 
many  differences  between  them  and  we  may  also  find 
that  two  or  more  of  them  in  some  points  resemble  each 
other,  that  they  have  woody  branching  stems,  leaves 
much  alike,  that  each  has  stipules;  also  that  the 
flowers  and  fruit  of  one  are  much  like  those  of  another, 
yet  have  some  points  of  difference;  we  conclude  that 
they  belong  to  the  same  genus  but  to  different  species. 
If  the  differences  are  slight,  as  the  size  and  color  of 
the  flower  or  a  little  variation  in  its  form  or  in  that  of 
the  leaves  we  call  one  a  variety  of  the  other.  As  an 
illustration  we  may  take  the  Rosacea.  We  have  a 
great  many  varieties  in  cultivation  but  when  we  exam- 
in  the  leaves,  stems,  stipules,  aud  prickles  we  can  at 
once  refer  a  great  many  of  them  to  the  same  specie;--, 
and  when  we  examine  the  wild  roses  we  shall  also 
find  no  more  than  4  or  5  species,  but  we  shall  also  find 
that  the  flowers  of  the  apple,  pear,  plum,  peach,  thorn 
and  several  other  plants  are  constructed  on  the  same 
plan  as  that  of  the  rose—a  calyx  of  five  sepals,  corolla 
of  five  petals,  stamens  many  and  seeming  to  be 
attached  to  the  head  or  top  of  the  stem,  the  receptacle, 
pistils  one  or  five,  more  or  less  united;  while  they  differ 
greatly  in  leaves  and  other  points;  hence  we  'place 
them  in  the  same  family,  which  as  the  rose  is  the  most 
prominent  plant  of  the  group,  we  call  Rosacea. 

There  are  many  plants  which  have  their  flowers  in 
loose,  flatheads,  somewhat  resembling  an  umbrella. 
Here  we  find  the  carrot,  parsnip,  dill,  caraway  and 
many  other  plants.  In  flowers  and  fruit  these  plants 
are  much  alike  and  we  make  of  them  a  family,  which 
from  the  peculiar  arrangement  of  the  flowers—an  umbel 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,3  COUNTY.  31 

—we  call  Umbelliferac.  A  family  then,  is  a  collection 
of  plants  whose  fruits  are  similar.  A  genus  is  a  divis- 
ion of  a  family  having  stems,  leaves  and  flowers  much 
alike. 

Species  are  members  of  a  genus  differing  in  form  of 
leaf,  of  flowers,  hairiness  and  other  small  matters. 

Varieties  are  members  of  a  species  differing  in  size, 
color,  time  of  flowering,  &c. 

Varieties  are  not  permanent  and  being  neglected  re- 
vert to  the  usual  form  of  the  species.  But  it  is  prob- 
able that  favorable  circumstances  and  care  for  many 
years  may  give  to  a  variety  the  character  of  a  species, 
and  it  is  not  improbable  that  species  are  but  varieties 
of  the  generic  type,  the  best  example  of  the  genus.  That 
true  genera  ever  become  something  else,  we  do  not  be- 
iieve.  That  our  systems  of  classifications  are  perfect 
no  one  claims  and  that  some  of  our  genera  are  defined 
by  very  artificial  characters  and  that  in  some  cases 
our  dividing  lines  are  not  wisely  drawn  will  be  readily 
conceded,  and  this  has  no  doubt  caused  much  con- 
fusion of  thought  and  led  to  some  very  baseless  and 
uncalled  for  generalization. 

That  there  is  such  a  thing  as  evolution,  taking  the 
word  to  mean  a  process  of  change,  no  naturalist  doubts 
that  it  accounts  for  creation  and  all  its  facts  and  mys- 
teries none  but  an  idiot  or  a  lunatic  will  argue.  There 
never  has  been,  never  will  be  any  ''endless  chain  of 
being;"  and  what  there  is  of  it  plainly  indicates  the 
existence  of  a  Creator  and  the  oversight  and  direction 
of  an  intelligent,  omniscient  and  omnipotent  mind. 

The  reader  will  understand  that  the  description  fol- 
lowing an  order  applies  to  all  members  of  that  order, 
that  following  the  name  of  a  genus  to  all  the  species 
of  a  genus,  while  that  of  a  species  applies  to  that 
species  only,  the  aim  being  to  bring  out  in  it  the  points 


32  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

in  which  the  species  differ  from  others. 

The  figures  g-iven  with  most  of  the  species  refer  to 
the  plant  either  in  flower  or  in  fruit.  The  terms 
larg-e,  small,  tall,  low,  &c  ,  are  to  be  understood  with 
reference, to  that  of  the  family  or  g-enus.  What  would  be 
small  for  a  grape  leaf  would  be  of  mammoth  propor- 
tions for  the  leaves  of  clover. 

For  instance  on  pag-e  9  we  find  Clematis  which  is 
followed  by  a  description  of  the  g-enus.  This  is  follow- 
ed by  a  description  of  the  species.  This  is  followed  by 
C.  Virg-iniana — Clematis  Virg-iniana.  Flowers,  W. 
(white.)  J.  Augf.  (July  and  Aug-ust),  that  is,  flowers 
throug-h  July  and  Augfust.  Damp  places,  that  is, 
grows  in  damp  places;  not  common,  that  is,  not  found 
in  many  places.  Sometimes  figures  are  use.d  alone 
without  the  word  hig-h  as  25  ft.  (25  feet  high).  The 
first  part  of  a  description  applies  to  the  stem  unless 
otherwise  stated.  It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  the 
descriptions  of  this  work  make  no  claim  to  being- scien- 
tific. Their  object  is  to  direct  the  attention  of  the 
reader  to  those  features  of  a  plant  which  enable  him 
to  distinguish  it  from  others.  If  we  have  accomplished 
this  we  have  attained  our  purpose.  We  have  at- 
tempted to  be  clear,  to  use  as  few  words  as  possible, 
to  g-ive  the  student  just  the  information  wanted  and 
yet  not  to  frig-hten  him  by  the  needless  display  of  our 
wisdom  or  overwhelm  him  by  the  profoundity  of  our 
discussion  of  the  mysteries  of  nature.  We  have  writ- 
ten for  plain  thinking-  people  and  such  we  hope  will 
find  our  work  suited  to  their  needs. 

The  word  "variable"  often  follows  a  description 
meaning-  that  the  plant  in  one  or  more  respects  may 
be  found  to  differ  from  the  description.  The  form  of 
the  leaves  may  be  somewhat  different — indeed  one 
scarcely  ever  finds  two  leaves  even  on  the  same  plant 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALINE  COUNTY. 


33 


just  alike— it  may  be  slightly  downy  or  a  little  hairy 
instead  of  smooth,  &c.  Sometimes  these  variations 
are  so  great  as  to  almost  constitute  distinct  species  and 
yet  the  extreme  forms  are  so  connected  by  intermediate 
forms  that  we  cannot  regard  them  as  more  than  widely 
divergent  varieties.  In  such  cases  we  suspect  that  the 
classification  is  at  fault,  that  the  genus  is  really  a 
species  of  some  other  genus  and  that  its  species  are 
really  only  varieties  and  that  these  have  crossed  again 
and  again,  producing  an  endless  variety  of  variant 
forms. 

However  there  is  always  a  trace  of  a  tendency  to 
vary  even  among  the  most  staid  and  unvarying  of 
species.  We  give  below  the  length  and  breadth  of 
some  leaves  of  the  elm,  smilacina,  willow  and  cornus, 
in  each  case  all  from  the  same  plant,  and  all  full 
grown. 


Elm. 

Smilacina. 

Cornus. 

LENGTH. 

BREADTH 

LENGTH. 

BREADTH, 

LENGTH. 

BREADTH. 

5.25 

3.15 

4.5 

3.7 

3.2 

1.57 

5.25 

3.0 

3.7 

3.05 

3.65 

1.95 

4.66 

Z  55 

3.6 

3.4 

3.5 

1.8 

5.3 

4.05 

Willow. 

3.15 

1.53 

5.7 

4.15 

4.85 

.8 

3.3 

1.47 

3.15 

2.4 

5.1 

.8 

3.7 

1.97 

4.65 

2.8 

5.05 

.7 

3.7 

1.95 

4.58 

2.25 

4.98 

.82 

4.1 

3.9 

5.23 

.83 

3.95 

2.2 

Thorn. 

4.95 

2.85 

3.5 

3. 

3.45 

2.33 

2.95 

2.85 

4.8 

3.05 

2.55 

2.25 

4.33 

2.4 

2.42 

2.25 

3.95 

2.3 

2.35 

3.15 

The  above  are  not  extreme  cases  but  such  as  may  be 


34 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 


met  every  day  on  most  plants.  In  many  cases, 
especially  in  the  asters  and  golden  rods  the  root  and 
stem  leaves  being-  very  different,  so  different  in  some 
cases  that  it  would  not  seem  that  they  belong1  to  the 
same  plant  did  we  not  find  them  there.  If  there  are 
leaves  near  the  ground  be  sure  to  examine  them  as 
they  must  be  reg-arded  as  the  true  leaves,  the  upper 
ones  as  modified  forms  of  these. 


Abreviations  and  Explanations,     The  follow- 
ing- abreviations  are  used  throughout  this  flora: 


Jan. 

January, 

W. 

White,               N. 

North, 

Feb. 

February, 

BL 

Blue,                   S. 

South, 

Mar. 

March, 

Br. 

Brown,              E. 

East, 

Ap. 

April, 

Blk. 

Black,                W. 

West, 

M. 

May, 

Y. 

Yellow,             N.  E. 

Northeast, 

Ju. 

June, 

G.W. 

Greenish  W  hite,s.  E. 

Southeast, 

.1. 

July, 

O. 

Orange,              S.  W. 

Southwest, 

Au. 

August, 

P. 

Purple,              N.W. 

Northwest, 

Sep. 

September, 

P.W. 

Purple  White.  Dia. 

Diameter, 

Oct. 

Octol  PI, 

Pi. 

Pink,                   Cir. 

Circumference, 

Nov. 

November, 

E. 

Red,                  H. 

High,  highesl, 

Dec. 

December, 

Rs. 

Rose,                 B. 

Bienial, 

Var. 

Variety, 

R.  W. 

Reddish  White.A. 

Annual. 

Sp. 

Species, 

V. 

Violet,               Pr. 

Perennial, 

Gen. 

Genus, 

S3. 

Scarlet,              Ed. 

Edition, 

Or. 

Order. 

Fl. 

Flesh  color,       Ex. 

Exotic. 

Fam. 

Family 

S  r. 

S'riped,              Cult. 

Ci  Itivated, 

Tr. 

Tribe, 

Li. 

Lilac,                 v\  t. 

Wet. 

In. 

Inch, 

St. 

Straw  color, 

Ft. 

Foot  or  feet, 

c. 

Crimson, 

Quantity  of  Seed  Produced  by  Plants.     But 

few  of  those  who  observe  and   cultivate  plants  have 
any  idea  of  the  quantity  of  seed  they  produce. 

An  apple  tree  may  produce  several  thousand  apples, 
.say  2,500,  and  each  of  these  may  contain  10  seeds,  and 
will  probably  averag-e  8,  so  that  this  tree  in  a  sing-le 
year  produces  20,000  seeds,  and  if  half  of  these  g-erm- 
inate,  it  would  g-ive  orig-in  to  10,000  trees  each  year, 
enough  to  plant  250  acres. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY .  35 

But  some  plants  are  much  more  prolific  than  this. 
The  cockle  burr,  Xanthium,  matures  more  than  200 
burrs  on  each  medium-sized  plant,  and  as  these  plants 
do  not  require  more  than  a  square  foot  apiece  there 
may  be  perfected  on  a  single  acre  not  less  than  8,700,- 
000  of  these  burrs,  each  of  which  contains  two  seeds, 
warranted  to  grow. 

We  have  found  on  a  medium  sized  Oenothera  no  less 
than  218  pods,  each  containing-  over  100  seeds;  on  a 
Polyginum  from  3,000  to  3,600  seeds;  on  a  sunflower, 
Helianthus  grosseserratus,  6,000  to  7,000  seeds,  and 
they  will  probably  average  1,000  each,  and  the  plants 
often  stand  two  or  three  to  the  square  foot. 

While  some  plants,  and  the  especially  worthless 
ones,  are  so  fruitful,  others  are  comparatively  barren 
or  produce  few  seeds,  a  few  producing  but  one  flower, 
some  three  to  five  flowers  each,  but  these  flowers  are 
generally  many  -seeded,  and  each  head  perfects  50  or 
more  seeds. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  facts  that  nature  is  a 
most  prodigal  sower,  scattering  seeds  with  a  lavish 
but  most  inconsiderate  zeal,  the  greater  part  of  them 
to  perish  at  the  very  dawn  of  life,  but  few  compara- 
tively to  reach  maturity  and  assist  in  perpetuating 
the  race. 

How  Plants  Travel.  That  plants  extend  the 
area  over  which  they  are  found  is  well  known  and  this 
with  many  of  them  is  easily  accounted  for,  some  hav- 
ing been  brought  in  grain  that  was  sown  or  among 
seeds  that  were  planted  in  gardens.  Sometimes  too 
straw  has  been  used  as  material  for  packing  goods  and 
the  seeds  of  weeds  were  mingled  with  it.  Thus,  even 
while  aiming  to  advance  his  interests  and  promote  his 
comfort  and  convenience  by  introducing  grains  of  the 
best  quality  or  testing  some  new  crop  man  has  brought' 


36  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

in  his  enemies  and  given  them  a  foothold  they  could 
not  have  otherwise  obtained.  Many  of  what  are  our 
most  common  weeds  have  thus  been  imported  from  the 
Old  World. 

But  many  seeds  are  born  travelers.  The  seed  of  the 
dandelion,  lettuce  and  thistle,  milkweed  and  many 
others  have  a  sort  of  plume  attached  to  them,  which 
enables  even  a  gentle  breeze  to  bee.r  them  far  from 
their  native  place  and  scatters  them  far  and  wide, 
The  seeds  of  the  maple  and  some  other  trees  have 
wing-like  appendages,  which  enable  them  to  sail  on  a 
strong  wind  to  a  considerable  distance. 

Some  seeds  are  greedily  eaten  by  cattle  and  having 
hard  and  impervious  coats  and  many  of  them  not  being 
broken  by  the  teeth,  pass  through  the  stomach  and 
intestines  free  from  harm  and  left  in  an  excellent  con- 
dition for  germination.  Birds  in  like  manner  scatter 
many  seeds  far  and  wide  and  sometimes  rather  large 
ones,  the  wild  pigeon  having  a  strong  liking  for  acorns. 
Other  seeds,  as  the  cocklebur,  beggarticks,  the  fruits 
of  geum  and  several  other  plants  are  provided  with 
hooks  or  barbed  teeth  with  which  they  lay  hold  of  every- 
thing that  touches  them  and  thus  become  attached 
to  the  hair  of  animals.  Thus  they  may  be  carried 
many  miles  and  scattered  over  a  wide  territory.  A  gen- 
tleman residing  in  South  Ottawa  informs  us  that  he 
can  remember  when  the  cockle  bur  was  unknown  here 
and  that  it  was  brought  by  cattle  driven  here  to  feed. 
Many  seeds  are  very  small  and  are  easily  carried  along 
in  a  lump  of  mud  that  may  adhere  to  the  feet  or  hair  o 
an  animal  and  these  may  be  carried  long  distances 
before  they  are  dropped,  and  if  the  circumstances 
under  which  they  are  left  favors  germination  and 
growth,  they  soon  make  themselves  at  home. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  37 

Heavy  seeds  such  as  walnuts,  acorns,  &c,  may  be 
carried  to  some  distance  by  animals,  which  use  them 
as  food  and,  swept  along-  by  floods.  Thus  nearly  every 
plant  has  some  means  of  extending-  the  area  over  which 
It  grows  and  these  migrations  are  continually  taking- 
place.  Since  1887  at  least  seven  plant,  before  that 
time  unknown  to  the  vicinity  rf  Ottawa,  have  located 
here  and  to  all  appearances  have  come  to  stay. 

Such  chang-es  are  very  likely  to  occur  along-  lines  of 
railway  for  plants  travel  by  rail  as  well  as  on  the 
wing's  of  the  wind  or  on  horseback. 

Localities  of  Special  Interest  to  Botanists. 

There  are  in  the  county  several  localities  of  more  than 
ordinary  interest  to  the  botanist.  Of  these  one  is 
located  about  two  miles  west  of  the  court  house  on 
what  is  known  as  the  old  Reddick  farm,  and  has  been 
mentioned  before.  It  is  a  part  of  Sect.  9  of  Tp.  33, 
R.  3,  E.  3rd  P.  M.  On  this  tract  there  is  a  great 
variety  of  soils,  both  dry  and  wet,  and  as  a  conse- 
quence a  wonderful  collection  of  plants. 

Another  locality  is  on  the  south  side  of  the  Illinois 
river  in  South  Ottawa  township,  in  the  woods  and 
along-  the  foot  of  the  bluff,  and  just  west  of  the  C.,  B. 
&  Q.  R,  R.,  between  it  and  the  U.  S.  Silica  Co.'s 
lands.  The  ponds  once  existing-  here  have  been  partly 
drained,  and  this  place  presents  a  less  variety  of  veg-e- 
tation  than  formerly,  but  one  still  finds  much  of  inter- 
est in  a  narrow  space. 

A  third  district  of  very  exceptiona1  interest  is  found 
on  the  west  side  of  Covell  creek,  a  fourth  of  a  mile 
south  of  the  stone  bridg-e  on  the  river  road.  The  vari- 
ety of  plants  is  great  and  some  of  them  not  common. 

A  fourth  and  very  interesting-  locality  is  the  bluff 
and  the  narrow  slope  between  it  and  the  Illinois  river, 
in  Deer  Park  township.  The  variety  of  plants,  espe- 


38  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

eially  of  ferns,  is  great,  and  many  of  them  are  rare, 
some  found  only  here.  This  locality  is  really  divided 
into  two  fields  one  extending-  from  the  east  line  of  the 
township  to  about  Lovers'  Leap  the  other  from  Lovers' 
Leap  to  the  Vermillion  river,  some  plants  being-  con- 
fined to  one  section,  some  to  the  other. 

A  fifth  and  very  interesting-  locality  is  that  known 
as  the  Black  Ash  Swamp  lying-  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Illinois  river  about  half  way  between  Marseilles 
and  Seneca  which  has  been  pretty  thoroug-hly  explored 
by  our  enterprising- and  talented  friend  Mr.  Charles 
F.  Johnson,  formerly  of  Marseilles,  now  of  Freeport. 
Here  while  some  of  the  conditions  are  similar  to  those 
obtaining-  in  Deer  Park  Tp.,  others  are  not.  Some 
of  the  plants  are  the  same  while  several  are  peculiar 
to  the  locality. 

The  valley  of  the  Vermillion  river  is  also  in  places 
rich  in  the  variety  of  plants  and  the  exuberance  of 
the  veg-etation  and  some  species  are  found  in  these 
places  which  seem  to  occur  nowhere  else. 

The  immediate  vicinity  of  Ottawa  offers  to  the  bot- 
anist a  very  larg-e  variety  of  plants,  a  number  much 
greater  than  is  usually  found  in  so  restricted  an  area. 
Some  350  species  of  plants  belonging-  to  more  than  50 
orders  and  some  175  g-enera  may  be  obtained  within  a 
radius  of  two  miles  of  the  court  house. 

In  attempting-  to  identify  a  plant  first  carefully  ex- 
amine it.  Notice  the  stem,  leaves,  calyx,  corolla, 
stamens  and  pistils  and  the  number  of  each  of  the 
last  two.  Then  look  throug-h  the  natural  orders  and 
decide  to  which  it  beltmgs,  then  look  for  the  genus 
and  then  the  species.  Of  some  of  the  families  the 
characters  are  so  very  distinct  that  one  cannot  make  a 
mistake,  as  for  example  the  Cruciferae,  the  Leg-urn  i- 
nosae,  the  Compositae,  but  of  others  the  same  cannot 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,B  COUNTY.  39 

be  said.  But  in  general  the  notes  we  have  given  will 
we  think  enable  one  to  reach  a  decision  with  certainty 
and  dispatch. 

If  the  leaves  are  compound,  flowers  of  5  petals  with 
5  stamens  and  collected  into  an  umbel,  we  at  once  refer 
it  to  the  Umbilliferae.  If  the  sepals  are  4,  the  petals 
4,  the  stamens  6,  4,  2  and  pistil  1,  we  may  be  sure  our 
plant  belong-,  to  the  Cruciferae.  If  the  flowers  are 
shaped  like  those  of  the  pea  and  the  fruit  a  pod  we 
at  once  refer  it  to  the  Leguminosae. 

The  most  striking;  or  obvious  features  of  each  order 
are  given  immediately  after  its  name  and  this  is  fol- 
lowed by  the  descriptions  of  genera  and  their  included 
species  in  order.  Read  the  descriptions  carefully  two 
or  three  times  if  necessary  and  look  at  all  parts  of 
your  plant  with  care.  Suppose  we  have  a  plant  that 
we 'find  has  compound  leaves,  the  flowers  have  five  or 
more,  but  less  than  20  petals,  the  calyx  the  same  num- 
ber of  sepals,  the  stamens  are  numerous  but  all  dis- 
tinct, the  pistils  many  and  distinct  but  crowded  to- 
gether and  the  stigma  pointed,  we  may  at  once  con- 
clude that  it  belongs  to  Order  1,  the  Ranunculaceae. 

Perhaps  the  strangfest  feature  of  our  flora  is  the 
presence  of  plants  which  generally  are  found  near  the 
seashore  or  near  brackish  water  as  Hibiscus  Mos- 
cheutos,  such  an  exception  to  all  general  rules  as  to 
seem  utterly  unreasonable  and  a  fact  that  led  to  some 
serious  mistakes  and  which  the  writer  must  confess 
he  was  slow,  as  have  been  many  others,  to  recognize. 
Some  years  since  a  distinguished  botanist  visited  Ot- 
tawa and  conversing  with  a  gentleman,  who  was  quite 
familiar  with  the  flora  of  the  county,  when  the  latter 
mentioned  Hibicus  Moscheutos,  as  being  found  here, 
promptly  said  that  must  be  a  mistake.  It  was  a  sea- 
shore or  at  least  a  brackish  water  plant.  Later  the 


40  v         BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

gentleman  had  the  pleasure  of  sending-  him  specimens 
of  the  plant  in  flower.  He  now  admitted  that  the 
determination  was  correct,  but  that  he  could  not  have 
believed  it  was  a  native  of  this  region  without  this 
evidence.  He  however  thought  that  the  presence  of 
salt  spring's  explained  the  matter.  But  plants  of  this 
character  are  not  all  found  near  salt  springs.  In  fact 
there  seems  to  be  many  remnants  of  a  former  seashore 
flora  yet  lingering  here,  not  merely  along  the  borders 
of  the  salt  marsh  so  called,  but  in  other  places  as  well. 
They  are  too  numerous  to  have  been  accidently  intro- 
duced, have  no  properties  that  make  them  valuable  to 
man  and  would  thus  lead  him  to  introduce  them  and 
are  not  well  calculated  to  migrate  unaided.  Besides 
the  conditions  under  which  they  are  found  render  it 
certain  that  this  is  their  native  land  and  that  they  are 
but  a  fragment  of  a  flora  that  has  nearly  vanished,  a 
change  of  conditions  having  made  it  impossible  for  it 
to  sustain  itself  longer  in  this  region  and  its  former 
presence  being  indicated  by  these  hardiest  members  of 
its  tribes.  We  shall  not  attempt  to  reproduce  to  the 
reader's  imagination  the  conditions  under  which  this 
flora  was  in  the  ascendent;  we  state  the  fact  and  leave 
our  audience  to  draw  their  own  inferences. 

Flora  LaSallensis.  Catalogue  of  the  Plants  of 
La  Salle  County,  111.,  and  the  adjacent  counties  of 
Kendall,  Grundy,  Livingston,  Marshall,  Putnam, 
Bureau  and  DeKalb,  and  in  general  for  that  part  of 
the  state  north  of  the  latitude  of  Bloomington.  A  few 
plants  confined  to  the  shores  of  Lake  Michigan  are 
not  found  in  La  Salle  County. 

The  authorities  used  have  been  Prof.  Rinaldo  Wil- 
liams of  Streator.  A  name  preceded  by  a  W.  is  from  his 
catalogue,  published  in  Baldwin's  History  of  La  Salle 


BOTANY  OF  "LA  SAT7L,E  COUNTY.  41 

Co.;  Prof.  Henry  Boltwood,  trow  of  Evairston,  des- 
ignated foy  a  B.;  Mr.  Charles  P.  Johnson,  formerly  of 
Marseilles,  now  of  Freeport,  indicated  by  Jh.;  and 
ourself.  In  a  few  cases  the  statements  of  parties 
familiar  with  the  subject  are  referred  to.  In  all  other 
cases  the  author  has  seen  the  plant  described. 

The  descriptions  are  our  own.  They  are  not  intend- 
ed for  scientists,  but  for  those  who  desire  to  identify 
a  strange  plant  and  the  effort  has  been  to  catch  its  most 
prominent  features  and  present  them  as  clearly  as  pos- 
sible. At  the  same  time  as  far  a,s  possible  we  have 
followed  Wood  and  Gray  and  frequently  refer  to  them. 
The  references  in  all  cases  to  Wood's  Classbook  of 
Botany,"  copyright  1 869,  imprint  A.  S.  Barnes  &Co., 
N.  Y.,  1873,  and  to  '^Gray's  Manual  of  Botany,"  copy- 
right 1867,  imprint  Ivison,  Blakemore,  Taylor  &  Co., 
1872,  or  the  fifth  revised  edition,  referred  to  as  5th  Ed. 
while  Wood  is  referred  to  by  name,  Wood.  The  order 
is  nearly  that  of  Gray's  Manual  6th  revised  Ed. 

Flora  LaSallensis.  A  catalogue  of  the  Plants 
of  L/a  Salle  and  adjacent  counties  of  Illinois. 

PHAENOGAMIA  OR  FLOWERING  PLANTS. 

Class  I.  Dicotyledons  or  exogenous  plants:  Stems 
formed  of  bark,  wood  and  pith,  the  latter  often  very 
small  and  in  large  trees  scarcely  apparent,  and  .in- 
creasing by  the  addition  of  new  layers,  usually  one 
each  year,  between  the  bark  and  wood.  Stems  branch- 
ing, leaves  of  various  forms,  netveined.  Plant  when 
it  first  appears  or  when  the  seed  sprouts  having  two 
leaves,  from  between  which  others  spring.  Flowers 
generally  having  their  parts  in  fives  or  fours. 

Sub  Class  I.  Angiospermae:  Seed  contained  in 
an  envelope,  as  the  pea  in  a  pod,  the  seeds  in  an  apple, 
the  stone  in  a  peach,  &c. 


42  BOTANY  OF  IyA  SAI^E  COUNTY. 

Division  I.  Polypetalous  exogens:  Both  calyx  and 
corolla  present,  the  corolla  in  several  separate  parts. 
In  some  the  corolla  is  wanting. 

Order  I.  Ranunculacea.  Crowfoot,  Buttercups: 
Mostly  low  herbs.  Calyx  of  3  to  15  sepals,  sometimes 
colored  and  appearing-  like  a  corolla;  corolla  of  3  to  15 
petals  sometimes  more;  stamens  many,  seldom  few, 
but  distinct;  pistils  many  or  few,  distinct  forming  a 
compact  head  as  small  pointed  or  tailed  pods  each  con- 
taining- a  single  seed,  a  many  seeded  capsule  or  seed 
vessel  or  a  berry;  leaves  usually  compound  or  much 
divided,  often  all  radical.  Juice,  watery,  acridi  of  some 
species  strong-  enough  to  raise  blisters. 

1.     CLEMATIS.    Clematis.  Virgins  bower:  Sepals 
usually  colored;     petals  none.     Seeds  in  small,  pointed 
or  tailed  pods,   which  each  spring-  from  a  pistil,    and 
form  a  compact  head..      s  • 
CLEMATIS.  P.  Virgin's  Bower. 

....  Herbs  or  vines  climbing-  by  tendrils  from  the 
ends  of  the  leaf  stalks,  flowers  without  petals, 
the  calyx  usually  colored;  stamens  and  pistils 
many,  the  pistils  forming-  a  little  head,  and  in 
fruit  the  style  lengthened  and  more  or  less 
feathery;  leaves  3  to  7  leaflets,  more  or  less  ovate 
and  acute,  opposite. 

C.  Virginica.  Flowers  W.  in  large  clusters,  seeds 
with  long  feathery  tails.  Ju.  Aug.  Damp 
places;  not  common. 

C.  •  Pitcheri.      Flowers  Pi.  P.  sepals  thick,  leather 
like  with  recurved  tips  solitary  on  long  pedun- 
cles;'on  the  lowlands;  not  so  strong  a  growth  as 
the  first. 
ANEMONE.     P.  Anemone.     Wind-Flower. 

Plants  with  deeply  cut  and  lobed  leaves,  usually 
rigid,  little  divided  and  few  flowered,  our  species 


BOTANY  OF  ~L, A  SALLE  COUNTY.         43 

the  flower  W.,  G.  closes,  W.  or  P.  stem  leaves 
3,  forming-  an  involucre. 

A.  Carolinian.  Flowers,  P.  to  W.  4  to  8  inches 
hig-h;  leaves  small  and  at  the  ground;  involucre 
small,  3  parted.  About  Ottawa;  sandy  lands. 

A.     cylindrica.     Tall;  flowers    2  to    6;     invorueral, 

r  leaves  two  or  three  times  as  many  as  peduncles, 

each  3  parted;  flowers    G.  W. ;    head    of    fruit 

cylindrical,  an  inch  long-.   M. ;  2  ft.     Dry  woods. 

A.  Virg-inica.  Tall,  usually  3  flowered,  each  on  a 
long-,  naked  peduncle;  leaves  of  involucre  2  larg-e, 
3  parted,  hairy,  the  middle  peduncle  naked,  G. 
W. ,  18  to  24  inches  hig-h.  Borders  of  woods 
and  dry  thickets. 

A.  Pennsylvanica.  Leaves  large,  hairy,  1  ft.  hig-h, 
flower  W.,  1  inch  dia.,  3  to  5  to  a  plant,  the  cen- 
tral one  blooming-  first,  then  one  on  each  side  of 
it  and  the  peduncles  of  these  branch,  each  send- 
ing-out  another.  Grows  in  bunches  in  damp 
places. 

A.     aiiemorosa.     Wind  Flower;  Wood  anemone. 

Low,  smooth,  erect;  involucre  of  3  long-petioled, 
3  parted  leaves;  flowers  W.,  purplish  outside,  5 
to  7  leaved;  one-half  to  one  inch  broad;  3  to  6 
inches  hig-h.  Ap.  M.  Woods.  Root  leaves  few. 
HE}PATICA.  P.  .Liver  Leaf.  Liver  Wort. 

Leaves  all  radical,  3  lobed  on  long-,  wiry 
petioles,  hairy,  evergreen,  rather  thick.  G.  P. 
to  P. 

,<;-,-',  H»  acutiloba.  Flowers  numerous  X  to  1  inch 
broad,  each  on  a  slender,  silvery-hairy  seape  3 
to  6  in.  hig-h;  W.  P.  B.  Pi.,  Mar.  Ap.,  Woods. 
ANKMONELLA.  P.  Low,  6  to  12  in.  hig-h,  smooth 
with  long-  petioled  radical  leaves,  3. parted,  each 
part  of .  2  or  three  roundish,  somewhat  lobed 


44  BOTANY  OF  I^A  SAl^I/E  COUNTY. 

leaflets;  involucre  of  2  or  3,  2  or  3  parted  leaflets. 

A.     Thalictroides.     Flowers,  W.,  X    to    %    inches 
broad;    several;    very  slender;  M.    Woods   and 
fields  about  trees. 
THALICTRUM,     P.     Meadow;  Rue. 

Plants  with  three  parted  compound  leaves,  each 
part  composed  of  many  small,  roundish,  notched 
leaflets;  flowers  small,  of  two  kinds,  the  stam- 
inate  in  dense  plume-like  greenish  or  P.  clusters. 

T.  dioicum.  Smooth  and  pale  green,  1  to  2  foot 
hig-h;  leaves  all  petiolate,  leaflets  drooping-; 
filaments  of  stamens  hair-like,  W.,  anthers 
yellow,  drooping1.  Ap.  M.,  Dry  lands. 

T.  polyg-annm.  Tall,  smooth,  4  to  8  ft.  high; 
stem  leaves  sessile;  leaflets  thickish;  flowers  W. 
some  perfect;  filaments  of  anthers  white, 
anthers  not  drooping-.  T.  Cornuti  of  the  5th  Ed. 
along*  streams  and  in  damp  meadows. 

T.     purpurascens.     Stem   usually  purplish,  2  to  4 
ft  hig-h;  leaves  sessile  or   nearly   so,  veiuy  and 
netted  beneath;  flowers  greenish  and  purplish. 
M.  Ju.  Dry  lands. 
MYOSURUS.     Mouse  Tail, 

minimus,  leaves  long-,  narrow,  entire,  thick 
flowers  small  on  1  flowered  seape;  fruit  forming- 
a  spike  like  head  1  to  2  in.  long-,  2  to  4  in.  hig-h. 
Each  plant  seems  to  be  a  tuft  of  narrow  leaves 
and  thick  stems.  Sandy  land, 
RANUNCULAS,  P.  Crowfoot.  Buttercups. 

Low,  often,  hairy  plants,  stems  frequently 
trailing-  after  flowering-  if  not  before,  with 
brig-ht  green,  lobed  and  toothed  leaves,  yellow 
flowers  and  fruits  collected  in  a  small  head  and 
frequently  tailed. 

R.     aquitalis.      Leaves  all  under  water  and  divided 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  45 

into  thread-like  segments;  flowers  W. ,  Ju.  Aug. 

R.  Cymbalaria.  Very  smooth,  sending1  out  long, 
jointed,  slender,  runners  which  root  at  joints; 
leaves  small,  roundish,  cordate,  crenate,  some- 
what thick;  flowers  small,  Y.;  fruits  in  an 
oblong  head.  Ju,  Aug.  Near  Big  Spring  S. 
bank  of  111.  one-half  mile  EX  Horseshoe  Canyon 
and  just  W  of  Street Ry.  Powerhouse,  Ottawa. 

R.  multifidus,  Leaves  below  water  with  hair-like 
divisions;  above  water  coarsely  cut;  flowers  Y., 
one-half  inch  broad.  Between  Canal  and  C.  R. 
I.  &  P.  R.  R.,  K.  of  Lock  11  and  S.  E.  of  U.  S. 
Silica  Co.'s  works  X  mile. 

R.  abortivus.  B.  smooth,  erect,  branching,  6  in. 
to  2  ft  high;  first  root  leaves  roundish ,  entire, 
other  3  lobed,  those  of  stem  and  branches  3  to  5 
parted,  sessile;  flowers  small,  pale  Y.,  Ap.  Ju. 
Damp  woods,  very  common. 

R.  sceleratus.  A.  Smooth;  root  leaves  rounded 
3  lobed,  lower  stem  leaves,  3  parted,  the  lobes 
toothed,  upper  lobes  nearly  entire;  stem  thick, 
hollow;  1  ft.,  flowers  small,  pale  Y. 

R.  recurvatus.  Hairy,  1  to  2  ft.  high;  leaves 
nearly  all  alike;  on  long  petioles;  flowers  pale 
Y.,  sepals  reflexed;  M.  Ju.,  Woods. 

R.  fasicularis.  Soft,  hairy,  with  close  pressed  hairs 
ascending,  5  to  9  inches  high;  root  leaves,  3 
parted,  each  part  of  5  to  7  divisions  appearing 
pinnate;  flowers  bright  Y.,  Ap.  M.  Dry  places, 
Sandy  lands  along  111. 

R.  septentrionalis.  Stems  at  first  ascending 
smooth  or  hairy,  later  becoming  2  or  more  feet 
long  and  appearing  like  runners,  leaves  all  3 
parted,  parts  lobed  or  cut;  flowers  Y.,  M.  Aug. 
Wet  places.  R.  repens  of  5th  Ed. 


46  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

R.  Pennsylvania^.  A.  Erect,  stout,  leafy  to  top, 
bristly  hairy,  1  to  2  ft  high,  leaves  3  parted,  the 
parts  3  cleft  and  toothed;  flowers  small,  calyx 
reflexed;  Ju.  Aug.  Wet  places. 

R.  Isopyrum  biternatum.  P.  slender,  smooth; 
leaves  3  parted,  each  division  3  parted  and  each 
part  2  or  3  cleft;  flowers  without  petals,  fila- 
ments white,  stamens  10  to  40;  4  to  10  in.  high, 
M.  Shady,  damp  places.  Prof.  Williams 
informs  us  that  he  has  doubts  of  the  correct- 
ness of  his  determination  of  this  plant. 
CALTHA.  Cowslip,  .  Leaves -roundish  with  a  deep 
notch  where  the  stem  is  inserted,  stem  branch- 
ing, bearing  a  number  of  bright  yellow  flowers 
1  in.  or  more  in  dia. 

C     palustris,  G.  8  to  10  in.;  stem  hollow  furrowed, 

Mar,  Ap.   Wet  places. 
AQUILEGIA.     Columbine,  Honeysuckle. 

Leaves    compound,    stem    branching,     branches 
spreading.     Edges  of  bluffs. 

A.  Canadensis.  Flowers  R.  without,  yellow  within, 
with  4  horn  like  processes  pendent,  mouth 
downward,  8  to  36  in.  M.  In  cultivations 
white,  purple,  &c,  flowers  are  produced. 

J.  Hyrasdis.  P.  Orange  Root,  Yellow  pucoon, 
Canadensis,  root  thick,  knotted,  yellow;  from 
which  springs  a  leaf  and  a  hairy  stem  bearing 
two  cordate,  serrate,  5  to  7  lobed  leaves  and  a 
single  G.  W.,  flower;  fruit  a  red  berry,  Ap.  M. 
Woods. 

DELPHINUM.  A.  or  P.  Plants  with  leaves  cut 
into  narrow  lobes,  calyx  spurred,  flowers  irreg- 
ular. 

D.     tricorne.     Flowers  W.  or  B.,  M.,  near  Streator, 
also  near  Marseilles.   Ju.,  rare. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY.  47 

ACT  ABA.  P.  erect  18  to  36  inch.  Smooth  with  3 
large  compound  leaves  about  the  middle;  flowers 
Y.  W.  in  a  spike;  leaflets  toothed,  pale  below. 

A.  spicata  var.  rubra,  berries,  a  bright  L<.,  as  large 
as  peas. 

A.  alba.  Berries  white,  leaves  more  sharply 
toothed  than  in  spicata. 

Order  2.      Magnoliaceae.    Magnolias.     . 
LIRIODENDRON.     A   large   handsome  forest    tree 
furnishing  excellent  lumber;  not  native  here. 

Iv.  tulipiferee.  A  tall  tree  70  to  100  ft.  with  gray- 
ish, deeply  furrowed;  softish  bark  when  old, 
smoothish  when  young;  branches  coarse;  leaves 
large,  squarish,  rounded  at  base,  broad  and  con- 
clave at  apex  with  a  piece  cut  out  of  each  upper 
corner,  bright  G.  above,  lighter  below,  smooth: 
flowers  G.  and  R.  without,  Y.  within,  3  inches 
broad.  There  are  some  fine  specimens  of  this 
tree  at  the  former  residence  of  Elmer  Baldwin 
dec.  of  Farm  Ridge,  %  mile  N.  W.  of  Farm 
Ridge  church.  Also  near  the  residence  of  J.  S. 
Clayton,  Deer  Park  Tp.  which  blooms  profusely. 

Order  3.     Anonaceae.     Papaws; 

ASIMINA.  Papaw.  A  tree  20  to  40  ft.  high  with 
large,  thin,  oblong-obovate  leaves  and  soft  white 
wood. 

A.  triloba.  Flowers  dark  P;  petals  6  thick,  stiff, 
1  in.  broad;  fruit  G.  Y.  2  to  4  in  long,  1  to  \% 
inches  dia.,  containing  several  large  flat  seeds. 
Fruit  eatable,  ripe,  soft.  Illinois  bottoms. 
Found  in  fruit  1894,  5  and  6  and  in  flower  95-96. 
In  96  bushes  3  ft.  high  were  loaded  with  blos- 
soms. 

Order  4.     Menispermaceae.     Moonseeds. 


48  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALIvE  COUNTY. 

MENISPBRMUM,     P.     Slender  vines  with  axillary 

clusters  of  small  W.  flowers  followed  by   black 

berries. 
M.     Canadensis.     Leaves  stiff,  dark  G  .  smooth,  5-7 

angled,  sometimes  lobed,  with  stem  near  middle. 

Along  fences  and  banks  of  streams. 
Order  5.     Berberidaceae     Barberries. 
BERBERIS.     Barberry.  A  prickly  shrub  with  small 

obovate  or  oblong  bristly  serrate  leaves  in  small 

rosettes  or  bunches. 

B.  Vulgaris.     Flowers  yellow;  fruit  an  inch  long, 
scarlet,  very  sour;  M.   Ju.;  sometimes  used  for 
hedges. 

CAULOPHYLLUM.  Leaf  triternate,  a  2d  leaf  2 
ternate  and  on  the  stalk  with  it  a  bunch  of  small 
greenish,  yellow  flowers,  followed  by  blue  ber- 
ries. - 

C.  thalictroides.     In  rocky  woods;  M. 
JEFFERSONIA.     Twin  leaf. 

Leaves  in  pairs,  2  parted,  and  flowers  on  scapes. 
J.     diphyllnm.     W.  May;  Flowers    large,    1    in.    or 

more.     But  one  locality  in  Co.,  in  South  Ottawa 

S  of  C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R." 
PODOPHYLLUM,     May  apple,  mandrake. 

herb  with  two  large,  pellate,  deeply  lobed  leaves 

and  1  flower.     M. ;     Wood. 
P.     peltatum.     W.;  May;  Mr.  L.    A.    Williams   of 

S.  Ottawa,  in  1895  showed  us  a  flower  of   this 

plant  of  a  beautiful  pink  color  the  only  one    we 

have  seen  or  heard  of. 
NYMPHACEAE.     Pond  lilies. 

a  water    plant    with    large,    roundish,    cordate 

leaves  and  large,  white  flower. 
N.     odorata.    W.  slightly  scented.  In  Fox  river  and 

in  a  pond  K.  of  Ott.,  S.  of  111.  river. 


BOTANY  OP  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  49 

NUPHAR.     Frog-  lily,  Yellow  pond  lily. 

A  water  plant  thriving-  in  mud;  leaves  much  like 
Nymphae  but  thicker  and  dull  green. 

N.     ad  vena.     Y.;  small,  2  in.  broad. 

Order  8.     PAPERVERA  CEAE.     Poppies. 
AGREMONE-     Prickly     poppy.     A     prickly    plant 
having  lobed  and  toothed  light  G.  leaves  spotted 
with  W.,     stem  and  leaves  armed  with  slender 
prickles. 

A.      Mexicana.     Flowers  Y.;  Ju.  on. 

A.     Mexicana   var.    alba.     Flowers    W.     Escaped 

from  gardens. 

SANGUINARIA.   Blood  Root.   Stemless  plants  with 
*  underground,  creeping    stems    and    a    colored, 
watery  juice. 

S.  Canadensis.  Leaf  one,  radical,  lobed  with  a 
single,  orange  colored,  one  flowered  seape, 
blooming  before  the  leaf  is  half  grown.  Flower 
W.  1  to  \Y\  in.  broad,  lastingtwo  or  three  days. 
Root  stem  red.  Ap.,  5  in. 

ADLUMIA.   P.     Climbing  Fumitory.   A  slender  vine, 
sometimes  found  in  cultivation. 

A.  cirrhosa.  B,  Leaves  small,  pinnate;  leaflets 
lobed;  flowers  somewhat  bell-shaped  in  dense 
clusters  each  ^  inch  long;  P.  W.  or  Pi.  W., 
climbing  by  its  leaf  stalks.  Ju.  Oct. 

Order  9.     FUMARIA  CEAE.     Dicentra. 

Plants  with  divided  leaves,  wreak,  pellucid  stems 
and  a  watery  juice. 

DICENTRA.     Leaves  large,  much  divided,  being  cut 
into  verv  narrow  lobes,  all  radical,  light  G. 

D.  Cucullaria.  Flowers  W.  somewhat  resembling 
a  large  fly  or  a  pair  of  somewhat  inflated  panta- 
loons; hence  the  common  name,  Dutchman's 
Breeches.  Root  a  scalv  bulb. 


50  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUN^f. 

D.  Canadensis.  Flowers  smaller,  spurs  rounded, 
sweet  scented,  blooms  later  and  is  sometimes  Pi. 
Root  made  up  of  a  collection  of  small  round  Pi. 
tubers. 

CORYDALIS.  A  low,  decumbent  plant  \vith  com- 
pound whitish  green  leaves,  translucent  watery 
stems  and  golden  yellow,  flowers  in  short 
racemes. 

C.  aurea.     Y.     Apr.     A  very  pretty  plant. 
Order  10.     CRUCIFERAEA.  'Mustards. 

A  large  family  of  plants  having  4  parted  flowers. 
6  stamens,  in  a  few  cases  4  or  2,  2  of  them 
shorter  than  the  other  4,  fruit  a  pod  longer  than 
wide  as  in  mustard  radish,  and  called  a  siMque, 
or  wider  than  long  and  called  a  silicle,  as  in 
Shepherd's  Purse,  leaves,  flowers  and  fruit 
often  having  strong  peppery  taste  and  smell. 
DENTARIA.  P.  Pepper  Root. 

D.  diph}*lla.      Leaves  two  about  X  length  of  stem 
from  ground,   large,  compound,    cut   into   long, 
narrow    segments.     Flowers    in    a    spreading 
cluster,  W.  to  P.,  M.  Woods. 

CARDAM1NE.     Bitter  Cress. 
C.     rhomboidea.      Leaves  rhomboid,  stem    upright, 

6  to  8  in.  W.,  Ap.  M. 

C.  rotundafolia.  Sends  out  long  runners  from 
stems;  leaves  rounded;  flowers  W.,  smaller  than 
the  preceding. 

C.     hirsuta.     Usually  somewhat  hairy. 
ARABIS.     Sicklepod. 

A.      Ludoviciana.     Leaves  pinnately  parted,  flowers 

small  W. 
Jh.  A.   lyrata.     Root  leaves  much  divided,  stem  leaves 

scattered,  narrow. 
A.     perfoliata.     Smooth,  tall,  2  to  4  ft.  stem  leaves 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  51 

oblong,  entire. 
A.     Canadensis.     Leaves  narrow,    long-,   drooping; 

pods  3  to  3^    in.   long,    curved    like  a    sickle. 

Bluffs.  ' 
Jh.  A.  levigata.     Stem  leaves   sessile,    flowers  small, 

Y.   partly  clasped;    pods   long,    sessile    and  re- 
curved,  Y. 
A.     dentata.     Roughish,  slender,  1  to   2   ft.     high; 

leaves  oblong,  obtuse,   very  unequally   toothed, 

those  of  «tem  numerous,  somewhat  clasping,  of 

the  root  broader  and  petiolate. 
DRABA.     Whitlow  grass. 

D.     Caroliniana.     Leaves   obovate,    mostly    entire, 

flowers  in  small  racemes  on  leafless  stems;  Ito  5 

in.  high;  sandy  lands. 
ALYSSUM  calycinum.     Small,  hairy;  leaves  narrow, 

pale  Y.,  broadest  at  outer  end. 
NASTURTIUM.     Water  cresses. 

Small  plants  growing  in  damp  places. 
N.     officinale.  W.  In  brooks  and  about  springs,  4  in. 

Escaped  from  gardens. 

N.     palustre.    Leaves  much  divided,  Y.   Ju.  to  Sep. 
N.     Armoracia.     Horse  raddish.     Armoracia  rusti- 

cans  of  Wood. 
BARBAREA.     A    strong  growing  plant  with  deeply 

toothed  leaves  and  small   spikes    of   bright    Y. 

flowers.  M.  Ju. ;  wet  places. 
Order  15.     CAROPHYLLA  CEAE.     Pinks. 

Plants  with  opposite  leaves,  stems  with  swollen 

joints  and  5  to  10  parted  flowers. 
SAPONARIA.     P.     Bouncing  Bet. 

S.     officinalis.   Stems  in  clusters,  nearly  erect;  leaves 

lanceolate,  acute,  paleG.;  flowers  1  in.  dia.,  pale 

Pi,,  in  clusters.     About    old    buildings.     River 

roadside  S.  Ottawa. 


52  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE 

SILENA.     P.     Campion. 

S.     stellata.     Tall,  2  to  3  ft.,  leaves  grayish  G.,   in 

4's  corolla  fring-ed;  calyx  inflated.  M.  Ju.  Banks 

of  streams. 
S.     Antirrhina.     Erect,  rigid  slender,   with   nearly 

erect   branches;  leaves    narrow-oblong1;  flowers 

R.  without,  Pi.  within;  peduncles  with   sticky. 

brown  gum  around  them  which  catches  insects. 

Sandy  lands. 
S.     Cucabalus.     Leaves   opposite;  petals    2    cleft; 

calyx  much    inflated;   W.,     1    ft.     S.  inflata  of 

5th.  Ed. 
S.     nivea.      Leaves  opposite,   oblong1,   acute;   petals 

cuneate,  2  cleft;  flowers  few,  larg-er   than  stel- 
lata; 1  to  2  ft.;  rare. 

S.     noctiflora.     Nig'ht  flowering1  campion.     Viscid- 
hairy,  1  to 3  ft.;  lower  leaves  larg-e,    spatulate; 

flowers  few,  Pi.,  cult,  grounds. 
LYCHINS.   A.  Cockle,  Mullien  pink. 

Lt.     Githag-o.     Erect,  branching-  clothed   with  long-, 

soft,  white  hairs;  flowers  purple,  1  in.  or   more 

dia.,  cult,  lands. 
ARENARIA.     Sandwort.     Petals  5  entire  or  slig-htly 

notched. 
A.     Michauxit.     Usually  diffusely  spreading;  leaves 

almost  like  bristles  clustered   in    axils    of  stem; 

flowers  small,    W.,     J.    Sandy   lands.     Alsine 

stricta  of  Wood. 
Jh.     A.     lateriflora.     Erect,     less     branching"     than 

Michauxii;  leaves  oval,   obtuse;  flowers    W.,    6 

to  10  in. 
STELLARIA.     Chickvveed.      Starwort.     Parts     of 

flowers  in  4's  or  5's,  petals  2  cleft  or  more. 
Jh.  S.  long-ifolia.     Erect,  weak,  roug-h  angled,  8  to   18 

in-,  leaves  narrow,  acute  at  both  ends;  flowers 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  53 

on  slender  pedicels;  M.;  Ju.  J.  Grassy  places. 
CERASTIUM.  A.  or  P.  Mouse-ear,  Chickwood. 
sepals  5  or  4;  petals  2  cleft  or  entire.  Flow- 
ers W. 

C.  viscosum.  A.  Hairy  and  clammy,  nearly  erect, 
4  to  9  in.;  leaves  obovate;  petals  shorter  than 
catyx.  M.  J.  ,  Grassy  places.  Rare. 

C.  vulgatum.  P.  clammy-hairy,  spreading1;  leaves 
oblong;  petals  equal  to  calyx;  M.  J.  Common. 

C.  nutans.  A.  very  clammy-soft-hairy,  erect, 
slender,  grooved,  spreading-branched,  6  to  20  in. 
leaves  lancolate;  petals  larger  than  calyx;  pods 
3  times  length  of  calyx,  M.  J.  Moist  lands. 

C.  oblongifolium.  Erect  or  declined,  soft-hairy; 
leaves  oblong-lanceolate  mostly  obtuse;  petals 
twice  length  of  calyx.  Ap.  Ju.  On  rocky 
banks;  quite  showy. 

C.  arvense.  P.  In  tufts,  erect  or  not,  slender,  4 
to  8  in.,  leaves,  narrow,  obcordate  more  than 
twice  length  of  calyx;  M.  J.,  Dry  or  rocky  lands. 

Order  16.  PORTULACACAE.  PURSLANES. 
Plants  with  fleshy  stems  and  leaves,  a  watery 
juice  and  showy  flowers. 

PORTULACA.     A.    Prostrate,  spreading,  leafy. 
P.     oleraceae.     Purslane.   Stems  thick;  leaves  obo- 
vate, flowers  small,  sessile,  Y.  cult,  grounds. 
TALINUM.     Erect;  peduncle  hair  like,  stiff. 

T.     teretifolium.     P.     Leaves  long,   slender,  cylin- 
drical, clustered;  peduncle  branched;  flowers  Pi. 
Ju.  Aug.     Sandy  lands  near  Ottawa. 
CLAYTONIA.     Roots  tnberous;  flowers  racemed. 
C.     Virginica.     Spring-beauty,     Stem    leaves   two, 
long,  narrow,  thick,  pale  G.,  flowers  bell  shaped, 
Pi.,  y±  in.  broad;  Ap.  M.;  Woods. 


54  BOTANY  OF  L,A  SALLE  COUNTY. 

C.  Carolitiiana.  Flowers  smaller  and  fewer;  leaves 
broader. 

Order  18.  HYPEICACEAE  St.  JOHN'S  WORTS 
Herbs  or  shrubs  with  opposite,  entire,  dotted 
leaves,  no  stipules,  petals  and  sepals  4  or  5  and 
stamens  collected  into  3  or  more  groups. 
ASCYRUM.  P.  St.  Peter's  Wort.  Sepals  4,  two 
outer  broad  and  leaflike;  petals  4,  oblique. 

A.  Crux  Andreae.  St.  Andrew's  Cross,  much 
branched,  leaves  narrow-oblong,  narrowed  to 
base,  thin;  pale  G.  Not  common.  Rich  lands. 
HYPERICUM.  P.  St.  John's  wort.  Herbs  and 
shrubs;  sepals  and  petals  each  5.  stamens  many 
in  3  to  6  groups,  flowers  Y. 

H.  adpres  sum.  Stem  angular  below7,  2  edged, 
1  to  2  ft.;  leafy  at  base;  leaves  narrow,  sessile, 
acutish,  dotted;  J.  Aug.  Wet  places. 

H.  ellipticum.  Erect,  4  angled,  10  t«>  20  in.  leaves, 
oblong  narrow:ng  toward  base,  thin;  wetlands. 

H.  perforatum.  Branching,  leaves  narrow-oblong; 
flowers  numerous  in  a  cyme,  deep  Y.;  spreads 
by  runners.  Ju.  Sept. 

H.  maculatum.  Round;  branches  few;  leaves  ob- 
long, some  clasping;  dotted  with  both  clear  and 
black  dots;  flowers  small,  crowded,  pale  Y. 
Damp  places. 

H.  mutilum.  slender,  branching;  leaves  narrow 
obtuse;  flowers  deep  Y.  in  naked  cymes. 

H.  medicaule.  Stem  and  branches  thread-like 
stiff,  erect  4  to  9  in;  leaves  scale  like;  flowers 
small  orange;  Ju.  Oct.  Sandy  wet  lands.  Red- 
dick  farm. 

ELODES.     P.     Marsh    St.     John's    wort.     Stamens 
usually  9  in  3  sets. 

E.     campanula  ta.     Erect,  1  to  2  ft.,  leaves  oblong, 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALZ,E  COUNTY.  55 

obtuse,  clasping-.     Flowers  Fl.    in    clusters.     J. 
Aug-.     Peat  marshes. 

Order  20.     MALVACEAE.  MALLOWS. 

Leaves  alternate,  stipulate,  more  or  less  lobed; 

flowers  showy;  stamens'  filaments  united;  petals 

5,  sepals  5. 

MALVA.     P.     calyx  with  a  three  leaved  involucre. 
M.     rotundafolia.     Prostrate;  leaves    round-cordate 

on  long  petioles,    crenate,    flowers   small,     W. , 

cult,  ground. 
M.     sylvestris.     Erect,  leafy,  2  to  3  feet,  leaves  5 

to  7    lobed;     flowers    P.    and    R.     About    old 

places.     R. 
M.     crispa.  A.   Tall,  erect,  stout,  very  leafy,  3  to  6 

feet;     leaves     rounded,      ang-led     and    crisped; 

flowers  small,  W.   Escaped  from  g-ardens.  R. 
M.     moschota.   P.     Low,    branching-  from    ground; 

leaves  5  lobed  and  cleft,  flowers  pale  Rs.  1>£    in 

across.     Has  the  odor  of  musk.     Escaped   from 

gardens. 

M.     moschota  alba  has  white  flowers. 
N APAEA.     P.    Flowers  of  two  kinds  stam.  and  pist. 

on  different  plants. 
N.     dioica.     P.     Erect,   little  branching-,   roughish, 

5  to  9  feet,  leaves  larg-e,  9  to  11  parted,  the  lobes 

cut;  flowers  small,  W.  J.   111.  Valley. 
MALVASTRUM.     False  Mallow . 

M.    ang-ustum.     A.     Erect,  6  to  12  in.,   some  hairy; 

leaves   lance-oblong-  with    fine,   scattered,   hard 

teeth;  flowers  small,  Y,  petals  little  long-erthan 

the  sepals.     Aug-. 

SI  DA.     Calyx  without  involucel,  5  cleft;  petals   en- 
tire, stipules  5  or  more. 
S.     Spinosa.     A.     Erect,   branched,   soft-hairy,    10 


56  BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,IvE  COUNTY. 

to  20  in.,  leaves  oblong-,  serrate,  long-  petioled 
with  often  a  tubercle  at  base  of  petiole;  flowers 
small,  Y.  Along-  small  streams. 

ABUTITON.      Indian    Mallow.  Velvet    Weed,    Old 
woman's  nig-ht  cap. 

A.  avicen  nae.  Erect,  branching-;  leaves  larg-e, 
cordate,  acuminate,  soft-hairy;  flowers  small, 
YZ  in  across,  Y;  seed  pod  bur  like  of  12  to  15 
carpels,  or  pods  united  into  one.  Bark  tough, 
used  for  making-  paper,  4  to  8  ft.  Cult,  lands. 
HIBISCUS.  Rose  Mallow  Calyx  with  an  invulucel 
of  many  bracelets  in  a  row.  Flowers  larg-e  and 
showy. 

H.  Moschuetos.  Erect,  several  stems  from  same 
root;  lower  leaves  3  lobed,  upper  lanceolate, 
downy  below,  smooth  "or  nearly  so  above; 
flowers  larg-e,  3  to  3%  in.  across,  Rs.  Deer  Park 
Tp. ,  y±  mile  W.  of  At  wood's  Cave. 

H.     Milita  ris.   Smooth,  lower  leaves  ovate-cordate, 

3  lobed,  upper  halberd  form,  middle    lobe    long-, 
acute;  flowers  Rs.  with  a  darker  center,  3  to   4 
in.     Along-  111.  river. 

H.  Trionum.  A.  Erect  or,  reclining-  with  wide 
spreading-,  horizontal  branches,  very  hairy: 
leaves  3  lobed,  middle  one  much  the  longest; 
flower  sulphur  Y.  1^2  inch  broad  with  a  dark 
eye  opening-  early  and  g-enerally  closing-  before 
noon.  Becoming-  more  common  yearly. 

H.  Syriacus.  Shrub  5  to  15  feet  with  rather  stiif , 
dark  G.  rather  small,  lobed  leaves;  flowers  3  to 

4  inch  broad,  P.  W.  varig-ated.     Scarcely  hardy 
here. 

Order.     21.     TILIA  CEAE.  LINDENS  or  BASS- 
WOOD. 
L/arg-e    trees  with    cordate   leaves,    small,   fra- 


BOTANY  OP  DA  SALX,E  COUNTY.  57 

grant,  clustered    flowers    and    fruit    a   woody, 
grayish  berry. 
Til/  IA.     Trees  with  a  toug-h,  fibrous,  inner  bark  and 

soft  white  wood. 

T.  America  na.  L/eaves  larg-e,  cordate,  acuminate, 
serrate,  green,  smooth,  branches  coarse,  often 
zig^zag-;  flowers  Y.,  small. 

T.  Europae.  European  Ivinden,  sometimes  culti- 
vated . 

Order  22.     LINACEAE,  Flaxes. 
LJNUM.     Flax.  Slender  herbs   with  a   toug-h   bark, 
oblong-,  sessile,    entire,    alternate    or    opposite 
leaves  without  stipules. 

Iv,  Virg-inianum.  Erect,  branching-;  branches  nearly 
erect,  recurved;  flowers  Y,  bell-shaped,  lasting- 
but  a  short  time;  I  to  3  ft.  Dr}%  open  woods. 
Deer  Park  Tp.  Along-  Vermillion  bluffs. 

L.  usitatis  simum.  Flowers  blue,  along-  railways; 
Ju.  J.  \%  to 2^2  ft.  The  bark  forms  the  flax 
of  commerce. 

Order  23.  GERANIACEAE.    GERANIUMS. 
GERA  NIUM.    P.     Plants  with    10    or    5  stamens- 
roundish,  more  or  less  lobed,  hairy,  leaves;  fork- 
ing- stems,  showy  flowers  and  a    long-,    slender, 
pointed  seed  pod. 

G.  macula  turn.  Cranesbill.  Erect,  leaves  about  5 
parted,  the  parts  lobed;  petals  entire,  Rs.  ^  in. 
long1.  M.  Ju.;  1  to  2  feet.  Woods. 

G,  Carolinian  um,  Some  hairy,  spreading-,  leaves 
cut  into  narrow  seg-ments;  flowers  small,  Rs. 
Scattered;  6  to  12  in.,  M.  Aug-.  Dry  and  waste 
lands. 

Jh.   FLOERKIA.     A.   False  Mermaid.     Small  plants 
with  small  solitary  flowers. 

F.     proserpinacoides.     A  small  plant  with  leaves  of 


58  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

3  to  5  lanceolate  leaflets,  these  entire  or  2  to    3 
cleft.    Marshes,  Ap.  Ju.   Taste  peppery. 

Order  25.  ILICINEAE.     HOLLIES. 
ILEX.     Black  Alder,  Winter  berry. 

I.  verticillata.  Bark  dark,  leaves  obovate  or  oval, 
acute,  serrate;  flowers  small,  W.,  in  clusters; 
M.  Ju.  3  to  7  ft.  Pruit  a  scarlet  berry. 

Order  26.  CELASTRACEAE.  STAFF  TREES. 
CELASTRUS.  A  vine  with  alternate,  serrate  leaves. 

C.     scandens.     Leaves  ovate-oblong;  acute;    flowers 

G.  W.  in  clusters;  fruit  a  3  angled  pod,    which 

opening-  discloses  the    scarlet    covering1    of    the 

seeds;  Ju.     In  thickets  and  by  fences. 

ENONYMUS.   Spindle  Tree,  Wahoo.   Stems  square. 

E.  atropur  pureus.  Leaves  opposite,  petioled,  oval- 
oblong,  accuminate;  flowers  dark  P.,  3  to  15  ft. 
Ju.  Fruit  smooth,  3  to  4  angled.  Pi.  from  which 
when  ripe  project  the  crimson  covered  seeds. 

E.  America  nus.  Low,  erect,  or  straggling;  pods 
warty.  Banks  of  streams. 

E.  America  nus,  var,  obovatus.  Trailing  with 
rooting  branches,  leaves  thin,  obovate.  Deer 
Park  Tp.  W.  of  Starved  Rock. 

Order  29.     RHAMNACEAE.  BUCKTHORNS. 
RHAMNUS.     caryx  teeth  petals  and  stamens  4. 

R.  cathar  tica.  A  shrub;  leaves  ovate,  serrate; 
small  branches,  thorny;  flowers  small,  in  clus- 
ters. Berries  black.  M.  Ju.  Bluffs. 
CEANOTHUS.  New  Jersey  Tea.  Red  Root.  Shrub- 
by plants.  Petals  hooded  and  on  slender  claws; 
flowers  W.  in  umbel-like  clusters  forming  a  large 
leafless  panicle. 

C.  America  nus.  Leaves  ovate,  serrate,  more  or 
less  hairy;  1  to  3  ft.  Root  dark,  R.  Ju.  J.  Bor- 
ders of  woods.  Leaves  said  to  have  been  used 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY.  59 

for  tea  during-  the  Revolution. 

OXALIS.  Sorrels.  Herbs  with  a  sour,  watery  juice, 
alternate  or  radical  leaves,  usually  of  3  obcor- 
date  leaflets  which  close  up  at  night. 

O.  violacea.  Root  a  scaly  bulb,  flowers  on  branch- 
ing- scapes.  V.  5  to  9  in.  May,  Ju.  and  with- 
out leaves  in  the  fall. 

O.  corniculata.  Branching-,  roug-h,  with  short,  stiff 
hairs,  leaves  with  roundish,  stipules,  spreads 
by  runners,  flowers  Y,  Ju  ;  R. 

0.  corniculata,   var.     stricta.     erect,     hairy,     very 
branching-,  M.  Sept.  Woods  and  fields. 

IMPA  TIENS.     Jewel  Weed.   Touch-me-not. 

Erect,  smooth,  branching-  plants,  with  round, 
translucent  stems,  small  ovate,  crenate,  long-- 
petioled,  lig-ht  G.  leaves,  a  spurred  corolla  and 
growing1  in  springy  places. 

1.  pallida.     Flowers  Y.   Greener  than  fulva. 
I.     fulva.     Flowers  spotted  with  red. 
Order  24.     RUTACEAE.     RUES. 

XANTHOX  YLUM.  P.  Prickly  Ash.  A  prickly 
shrub  with  pinnate  leaves,  small  yellowish 
flowers  scattered  along1  the  branches;  fruit 
brownish  black,  peppery  tasted  berries. 
X.  America  num.  Leaves  sessile  in  clusters,  each 
of  2  to  4  pairs  of  leaflets  and  an  odd  one,  flowers 
in  axillary  clusters.  M.  8  to  10  ft.  Rocky  hills 
and  woods. 

PTELEA.     Hop  Tree.  Shrubby  Trefoil.  Wafer  Ash. 
P.     trifoliata?     Leaves    trifoliate,     ovate,      acumi- 
nate; flowers  W.  small,  fruit  with   a  border;    in 
clusters  and  looking-  like  wafers. 

AILANTHUS.  Glanduiosus.  Tree  of  Heaven. 
Leaves  pinnate,  of  many  pairs  of  leaflets,  coarse- 
ly branched,  flowers  greenish  with  a  strong-  un- 


60  BOTANY  OP  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

pleasant  smell.     Does   not    stand    our     climate 
well.     Planted  for  shade. 

Order  28  VITA  CEAE.     GRAPES. 
VITIS.     Grape.  Plants  climbing-  by   woody  tendrils. 

V.  aestiva  lis.  Summer  Grape.  Leaves  wooly  and 
rusty  when  young-,  entire  or  3  to  5  lobed,  berries 
black  with  a  bloom.  M.  Ju.,  ripe  Sept. 

V.     cordi  folia.      Frost    Grape,     leaves    entire    or 
slightly  3  lobed,    cordate    with    a    deep    acute 
sinus,  accuminate  coarsely  and  sharply  toothed, 
berries  small,  black,  ripening-  after  frosts. 
AMPELOPSIS.    Virg-inia  Creeper.  Five  Fing-er. 

A.  quinque  folia.  A  woody  vine  climbing-  tall  trees 
by  both  rootlets  and  tendrils,  leaves  3  to  7,  g-en- 
erally  5  lobed,  flowers  G.  Y.  Berries  Bl.  Leaves 
become  crimson  in  autumn.  This  plant  is  not 
poisonous  and  is  often  planted  to  run  over 
houses  and  walls,  for  which  it  is  well  adapted. 

Order  29.  SAPINDACEAE.   Maples.     Soapberries. 
AES  CULUS.     Horse  chestnut.    Buckeye.     Trees. 

fib.  g-labra.  Leaves  dig-itate  of  5  oblong-,  acumi- 
nate, serrate,  leaflets;  flowers  Y.  W.,  not  showy, 
fruit  a  larg-e,  1  in.  dia.  nut-like,  nearly  smooth 
pod  containing-  1  to  4  smooth,  brown  seeds.  Val. 
Big-  Vermillion,  near  Og-lesby  and  W. 
A  CKR.  Maple.  Trees  or  shrubs  with  larg-e  pal- 
mately  lobed  leaves,  small  flowers  and  wingfed 
seeds. 

A.     saccharinum.     Sugar  Maple.  Hard  Maple. 

Flowers  greenish  yellow  appearing-  with  the 
leaves;  branches  making-  a  nearly  rig-ht  ang-le 
with  trunks.  Ap.  M.  70  to  80  ft.  Wood  hard 
and  handsomely  grained. 

A.  dasycar  pum.  Leaves  silverv  W.  below.  Flow- 
ers G.  W. 

A.     rubrum.     Red  Swamp  or  Soft  Maple.   Flowers 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY.  61 

C.  or  Y.,  appearing-  before  the  leaves;  40  to   70 
ft.     Wet  lands,  wood  white,  soft  branches,  mak- 
ing- an  acute  angle  with  trunk,  and  often   split- 
ting- off. 
NEGUNDO.     Box  Elder.     Ash-leaved  Maple. 

N.  aceroides.  Leaves  pinnate,  of  5  to  7  ovate, 
acute  leaflets,  brig-ht  G.  above.  Branches 
crooked,  tree  wanting-  the  symmetry  and  grace 
of  the  maple.  Wood  of  little  value.  A,  rapid 
grower  and  g-ood  shade  tree. 

STAPHYLEA.  Bladder  Nut.  Fruit  a  3  to  4  angled 
sac  containing-  3  or  4  hard,  grayish  round  seeds 
the  size  of  very  small  peas. 

S.  trifolia.  Leaves  of  3  ovate,  acute,  smooth  leaf- 
lets; flowers  W.,  delicate;  M.  8  to  15  ft.  Bark 
beautifully  mottled.  A  handsome  shrub.  Bluffs. 

Order  30.     ANACARDA  CEAE.  SUMACS. 

Leaves  compound;  flowers  G.  W.  clustered. 
RIIUS.     Sumac.  Flowers  in  a  dense,  terminal  panicle, 
fruit  a  crimson,  hairy,  sour  berry,  not  poisonous. 

R.  typhina.  Stag-horn  Sumac.  Branches  anjl  leaf- 
stalks densely  hairy;  leaves  of  11  to  31  oblong-- 
lanceolate, acute,  serrate,  pale  beneath  leaflets; 
10  to  30  ft.  Ju.  Hillsides.  Wood  a  fine  Or. 
color. 

R.  g-labra.  Smooth;  leaves  whitened  beneath;  2 
to  12  ft.  Ju.  J.  Borders  of  woods. 

R.  venneata.  Poison  sumac,  smooth;  leaflets  7  to 
13  obovate-oblong-  entire;  flowers  in  small  axil- 
lary, G.  Y.  clusters;  berries  g-lobular;  grayish. 
Very  poisonous;  6  to  15  ft.  Low  grounds. 

R.  toxicodendron.  A  woody  vine  climbing- by  root- 
lets on  trees,  fence  posts  and  rocks.  Leaves  of 
3  rhombic-ovate,  acute,  entire  or  notched  leaf- 
lets, dark  or  lig-ht  G,  stiff  or  drooping-.  The 


62  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

leaf  of  three  leaflets  and  the  stem  beset,  with 
black,  short,  hair-like  roots  will  en  able  any  one 
to  detect  this  dangerous  plant.  Berries  Y.  W. 
It  causes  small  watery  blisters  to  rise  on  the 
skin  and  these  breaking-,  the  water  contained 
causes  others  to  rise  and  thus  the  trouble 
spreads,  hard  rough  scabs  forming1  on  the  sores, 
which  become  more  and  more  troublesome  being" 
accompanied  by  an  intolerable  itching1.  Sug~ar 
of  lead  dissolved  in  water  and  used  as  a  wash  is 
a  very  g'ood  remedy.  The  sooner  it  is  applied 
the  better. 

Order  31.  POLY  GALACEAE.  Polygala.  Milk- 
worts. 

POL  YG  ALA.  Small  plants  with  leafy,  more  or  less 
branching1  stems,  small  leaves  and  small,  irreg"- 
ular  flowers  in  compact  head. 

P.     polyg-ama.     B.  Stems  smooth,  many  from  root, 
very  leafy,  6  to  9  in.,  leaves  narrow-oblong1,  ob- 
tuse, mucronate;  flowers  P.;  Ju.  J.    Fields  and 
*  pastures. 

P.  Seneg^a.  Leaves  alternate,  lanceolate;  flowers 
W.,  M.  Ju.,  6  to  10  in. 

P.  sang-uinea.  A.  Leaves  oblong'-linear,  heads 
dense  flowered,  brig-lit  Rs.  P.  Moist  sandy 
grounds. 

P.  cruciata.  Stems  ang-ular,  almost  wing-ed;  leaves 
in  4's,  narrow;  head  short  and  thick,  3  to  10  in. 
hig-h.  Reddick  farm. 

P.  verticillata.  Much  branched;  stem  leaves  in 
whorls,  those  of  branches  scattered;  lineals, 
acute,  flowers  small,  G.  W.  or  P.  tingfed;  6  to 
10  in.  Dry  lands. 

Order  32.     LEGUMINOSAEA.     Peas. 

Flowers  of  5  unequal  petals,    the  upper   called 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  63 

the  vexillum  or  banner,  the  largest;  the  lower 
two  united  by  their  edges  forming  a  boat-shaped 
petal  or  keel — carina;  and  the  two  side  petals  or 
wings  spreading;  stamens  10,  seldom  5,  gener- 
ally 9  united  into  a  tube  open  on  one  side,  the 
10th  separate;  fruit  a  pod,  leaves  usually  com- 
pound, entire  and  with  stipules.  In  sub-order 
Caesalphiniae  the  corolla  is  more  nearly  regular; 
in  sub-order  Mimosoae  the  corolla  is  regular. 
BAPTISIA.  P.  False  Indigo,  Branching  herbs 
with  flowers  1  in.  long  in  large  clusters,  pani- 
cles, or  in  long,  naked  spikes;  pods  inflated. 

B.  leucphaed,  Hairy,  1  ft.  branched;  leaves  nearly 
sessile,  leaflets  narrow-obovate;  flowers  in  large 
clusters,  pale  Y.  M.  Dry  pastures. 

B.  leucantha.  Smooth,  tall,  bluish  green,  2}^  to  5 
feet,  leaves  narrow-cuneate;  flowers  W.  on  a 
long  leafless  stem  forming  a  raceme;  Ju.  J.  Rich 
damp  prairies. 

TRIFOLIUM.     Clover.  Treefoil.     Leaves  palmately 
trifoliate. 

T.     partense.     P.     Red  Clover. 

T.  reflexum..  A.  or  P.  Leaflets  obovate-oblong 
finely  toothed;  standard  of  flowers  red,  rest 
whitish;  head  reflexed  in  fruit.  Borders  of 
woods.  R. 

T.     repens.     P.     White  Clover. 

T.  hybridum.  Alsike  Clover.  Like  repens  but 
more  erect,  not  rooting  at  joints:  flowers  rose- 
tinted.  Marseilles.  Jh.  Becoming  common. 

T.  procumbens.  Hop  Clover;  yellow  clover.  Creep- 
ing, slender;  leaves  small;  leaflets  wedge- 
obovate,  notched  at  end;  flowers  Y.  C.  B.  &  Q. 
tracks  N.  part  of  Ottawa,  1882,  not  seen  since. 
At  Marseilles.  Rock  Island  tracks.  Jh. 


64  BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY. 

MELILOTUS.  B.  Melilot.  Sweet  Clover.  Flowers 
in  long1  spike-like  racemes.  Erect,  branching- 
plants. 

M.  offcina  lis.  Leaves  pinnate,  3  foliate,  the  leaf- 
lets small,  obovate,  obtuse;  flowers  Y.  2  to  4  ft. 
S.  Ottawa  arid  other  places. 

M.  alba.  Leaflets  truncate,  flowers  W.  Both  of 
these  plants  have  a  fragrant  smell.  The  last 
is  much  too  common. 

MEDICAGO.     Medick,     Pods  curled  forming-  a  close 

head. 

M,  sativa.  P.  Flowers  P.  Leaves  and  stem  much 
like  Melilotus.  C.  B.  &.  Q.  R.  R.  W.  of  Por- 
ter's shop. 

B.  M.  lupuli  na.  A.  Nonesuch.  Black  Medidk.  Pro- 
cumbent, downy;  leaflets  toothed  at  apex. 
Fiowers  Y. 

PSORALEA.    P.    Erect,  branching-  plants  or  roug-h- 
ened  especially  on  the  calyx  and  pods  with  g-lan- 
dular  dots;  leaves  3  to  5  foliate.    ••> 
P.     Onobrychis.     Nearly  3  to  5  ft.;  leaves  pinnate, 
leaflets  lanceolate,  acuminate;  flowers   P.,  pods 
wrinkled.     Damp,  rich  lands.  '  y: 
P.     teniuiflora,   florabuuda  of  5th  Ed.   Leaves  palm- 
ately  3  to  5  foliate;  hoary-downy,   small,    lineas 
or  oblong-;  plant  very  branching:  rather  slender 
and  rig-id;  flowers  P.,   J.  Sept.    Dry  places. 

AMORPHA.     P.   False   Indigo.     Shrubs    with    odd, 

pinnate  leaves;  flowers  Vi.  P.,  in  spikes. 
A.     canescens.     Covered  with  a  white  down,  1  to  3 
feet;  very  leafy,  leaflets  15  to    20    pairs    small, 
spikes  at  summit.      Some  people    imagine    that 
this  plant  indicates  the  presence  of    lead,    hence 
called  Lead  Plant.     Dry  lands. 
A.     fruticosa.     Taller,  nearly  smooth;  leaflets  8  to 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  65 


12  pairs.     Banks  of  streams. 
PETALOSTEMON.     P.     Prairie  Clover.     Flowers 

in  dense,  terminal  heads;  stems  very  leafy. 
P.     viola  cens.  Nearly  smooth,  leaflets  5,  very  nar- 

row; flowers  Vi,  P.,  J.   12  to  20  in.     Dry  fields. 
P.     candidus.     Smooth;  leaflets  7  to  9,    lanceolate; 

flowers  W.   12  to  20  in.  with  the  former. 
B.  P.   folio  sus.     Very  leafy;  leaflets  15  to  29,  Jineas- 

oblong;  flowers  Rs.     Found   in   1882    by    Prof. 

Boltwood  on  the   McPherson   place   S  side  the 

road  opposite  the  Reddick  farm. 
TEPHROSIA.     Perennial  herbs  whitish  with    long-, 

silky  hairs. 
T.     Virginiana.     Goat's  Rue.     Catgut.     Leafy   to 

top;  leaflets  17  to  29,  linear-oblong1,  small;  flow-1 

ers  larg-e,  showy   in  a    cluster,  W.  ting-ed  with 

P.     Jh.  J.;  1  to   2   ft.     About    Lover's    Leap, 

Deer  Park  Tp. 
ROBINIA.     Locust  Tree.     Trees   or   shrubs   armed 

with  prickles  and  having-  odd-pinnate  leaves  and 

flowers  in  axillary  racemes. 
R.     Pseudacacia.     Flowers  W.,  fragrant.     Timber 

valuable.     M. 
R.     viscsa.      Branchlets  and  petioles  sticky;  flowers 

P.  Ju. 
ASTRAGALUS.  P.  Milk-vetch.  Leaves  odd-pinnate; 

flowers  W.  in  dense,  thick  spikes. 
A.     Plattensis.     Reclining;    leaflets    oblong1;    in    a 

short  spike  Y.  W.  often   tipped    with    P.     Ju. 

Gravelly  lands. 
A.     Canadensis.     Erect,  tall,  2  to  3>^    ft.;    leaflets 

21  to  27,  oblong-;  flowers  G.  W.    in    long   close 

spikes;  Ju.     Dry  lands. 
DESMODIUM.     P.     Tick  seed.   Tick  Trefoil.    Pods 

deeply  toothed,  covered  with  hooked  bristles  by 


66  BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY. 

which  they  adhere  to  whatever  touches  them. 

D.  nudiflorum.  Leaves  pinnately  3  foliate,  crowded 
at  top  of  a  flowerless  stem;  flowers  on  a  long- 
slender  leafless  stem,  l^j  to  2%  ft.  long-,  Pi.,  J. 

D.  acuminatum.  Leaves  crowded  at  top  of  stem 
from  which  rises  a  loig-  naked  peduncle  bearing- 
a  raceme  of  P.  flowers;  Ju.  Jl.  Woods. 

D.  rptundifolium .  Prostrate,  covered  with  soft 
hairs;  leaflets  nearly  round;  flowers  scattered, 
P.  12  to  20  in.,  Ju'.  J.  Woods. 

D.  canescens.  Brect,  channeled,  hairy  branching- 
leaflets  longf-ovate.  obtuse,  whitish  or  netted 
below;  pods  4  to  7  joints;  flowers  in  dense 
spikes,  larger  than  in  other  species,  G.  P. ;  3  to 
4  ft.  J.  Aug-.  Borders  of  woods. 

D.  cuspidatum.  Very  smooth  except  the  panicle; 
leaflets  oblong--oval,  acuminate,  thinish;  flowers 
rather  scattered  and  panicle  spreading-.  P.  2/^ 
to  4  ft.  Aug-.  Open  woods. 

LESPKDEZA.     P.     Bush  Clover.     Leaves  pinnately 
3  foliolate,  without  stipules.     Flowers  P.  or  W. 

L.  procumbens.  Slender,  prostrate,  hairy,  except 
upper  surface  of  leaves;  leaflets  small  l/2  in., 
oval;  flowers  P.  Dry  rocky  places. 

L.  violacea.  Uprigfht  or  spreading1,  slender  branch- 
ing1, leaflets  thin,  broad-oval;  flowers  few,  Vi. 

L.     capitata.     Rigid,  wooly;  petioles  short;  leaflets 
oblong1,  thickish  and  nettled;  flowers   in    dense 
heads;  W.  with  a  P.  spot.     Dry  soils. 
111.   L,   ang-ustifolia.     Silky;  leaflets  linear;  heads  on 

distinct  peduncles. 

VICIA,     Vetch.  Tare    Herbs  climbing-  by  tenrlrils  at 
the  end  of  the  pinnate  leaf. 

V.  America  na  Smooth;  leaflets  10  to  14;  ellipti- 
cal, obtuse,  veiny;  flowers  4  tc  8  on  a  peduncle; 
P.,  Ju.  Moist  fields. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  67 

LATHYRUS.     P.     Everlasting-  pea. 

L.  ochroleucus,  Wild  Pea.  Stem  slender;  leaves 
of  3  to  4  pairs  of  ovate  or  oval  light  G.,  entire 
thin  leaflets.  Y.  W.,  1  to  3  ft.;  peduncles  7  to 
16  flowered. 

L.  palustris.  Marsh  Pea,  Wild  .Sweet  Pea.  Stem 
slender,  angled,  angles  more  or  less  winged; 
leaves  of  2  to  4  pairs  of  narrows-oblong',  mucro- 
nate  pointed,  entire  leaflets;  peduncles  3  to  5 
flowered;  flowers  bluish  P.  A  beautiful  vine  1 
to  3  ft.  Middle  Ju.  on. 

APIOS.  P.    '  Ground  Nut.     Slender  vine    with    milky 
juice. 

A.     tuberosa.     Leaves  of  5  to  7    ovate,     lance- 
olate leaflets;  flower    chocolate    Br.   in    short, 
dense  and  often  branching-  racemes. ;    Ju.    Aug. 
It  spring's  from  a  tuber. 
PHASEOLUS.     P.     Bean. 

P.  perensis.  Wild  Bean.  Stem  long-,  slender, 
twining-.  Leaves  3  foliate,  leaflets  roundish, 
ovate,  short  pointed;  pods  curved,  drooping-; 
flowers  small,  P. 

P.  diversifolius.  A.  Prostrate,  slender,  branch- 
ing-; leaflets  ovate  3  lobed  or  oblong-  and  entire, 
flowers  G.  W.  ting-ed  with  R.  Pod  straig-ht, 
brown,  opening-  with  a  spring-  when  ripe. 

P.     pauciflorus.     A.     Many  stems  from  same  root, 
twining-,    slender  pubescent;  leaves    oblong     to 
linear;  flowers  P.:  pod  1  in.,  downy. 
CERCIS.     P.     Small  trees. 

C.  Canadensis.  Red  Bud.  Judas  Tree.  Bark 
roug-hish,  brown,  branches  crooked,  straggling-, 
leaves  cordate,  acuminate,  thin,  smooth,  light 
green,  (when  young  P.  G.)  1^  to  2/4  in.  wide, 
flowers  in  small  clusters,  R.  P.  numerous,  ap- 


68  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

pearing  when  the  leaves  are  small  and  succeeded 
by  thin  flat  pods  1#  in.  long;  12  to  25  ft.   M. 
CASSIA.     P.     Senna.     Erect,  rig-id,  leafy. 

C.  Marilandica.  Stem,  tall,  furrowed,  leafy;  leaves 
of  6  to  9  pairs  of  oblong,  obtuse,  smooth  leaflets, 
flowers  in  racemes  Y.  ^  in.  long-,  pods  flat,  at 
first  hairy,  becoming-  smooth. 

C.  Chamaecrista.     Stem  round,  smooth;  leaves  of 
10  to  15  pairs  of  narrow,  oblong-,  oblique,    leaf- 
lets, sensitive  folding-  when  touched;  flowers  Y. 
with  violet  brown  eye,  1  in.   dia. ;     pods    1^    in. 
long-.     6  to  18  in.  J.  Aug-.   Prairie. 

GYMNOCLADUS.     A  tree    with    rough,    brownish 

bark. 

G.  Canadensis.  Coffee  Nut.  Branches  few  straig-ht; 
leaves  twice  pinnate,  large  35x35  in.  leaflets 
ovate;  flowers  whitish  in  terminal  racemes;  pod 
1^  in.  wide  3  to  4  in.  long,  thick,  containing-  3 
or  4  hard,  grayish  seeds  one-half  in.  dia.  30  to 
60  ft.,  4  to  15  in.  dia.  111.  bottoms. 

GLEDITSCHIA.    Honey  Locust;  a  large  very  thorny 

tree. 

G.  triacantha.  Smooth,  dark  bark,  much  branched, 
and  once  or  twice  compound  small  clusters  of 
small  G.  Y.  flower,  followed  by  long-,  somewhat 
curved,  smooth,  flat  pods  50  to  70  ft.  10  to  30 
in.  dia.  Pods  6  to  10  in.  Ju. 

DESMANTHUS.     P.    Herb  erect,  many  stems  from 
one  root,  grooved. 

D.  brachylobus.       Leaves      twice     pinnate,  finely 
divided,  folding  up  if  touched;  flowers   white  in 
close    lerminal     heads,    pods    spirallv    twisted, 
2  or  3  ft.,  J.    Aug.     Sands    and    gravel    banks 
along-  rivers. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  69 

Order  33.     ROSACEAE.  Roses. 

Trees,  shrubs  or  herbs  with  regular  flowers 
numerous  stamens  inserted  on  the  calyx,  1  to  5 
pistils  and  leaves  with  stipules. 

PRUNUS.  Plum.  Cherry.  Trees  of  moderate  size 
often  thorny  with  white  flowers  in  cymes  and  a 
fruit  enclosing1  a  flattened  smoothish  stone. 

P.  Americana.  Thorny,  8  to  20  ft.;  leaves  ovate 
or  obovate,  acute,  doubly  serrate,  very  veiny, 
smooth;  fruit  roundish,  Y.  Or.  or  R.;  M.  Banks 
of  streams. 

P.  Pennsylvania.  Wild  Red  Cherry,  a  small 
tree,  Leaves  oblong-,  acuminate,  finely  serrate, 
shining'  green;  W.,  M.  Fruit  round,  red,  small, 
on  long1  pedicels.  15  to  25  ft.  A  handsome,  sym- 
metrical tree. 

P.  Virg-iniana.  Choke  Cherry.  Leaves  oval,  ob- 
long- or  obovate,  abruptly  pointed,  sharply,  often 
doubly  serrate,  thin;  flowers  with  roundish 
petals  in  short,  close  racemes,  W.  Fruit  red 
turning-  to  dark,  crimson;  until  fully  ripe  having- 
a  very  puckery  taste.  6  to  8  ft.;  bark  grayish. 
River  banks. 

P.  serotina.  Wild  Cherry.  Wild  Black  Cherry. 
A  larg-e  fine  tree.  Leaves  oblong-,  lanceolate, 
taper  pointed,  serrate,  thick,  g-lossy  above; 
flowers  small  in  long-  racemes,  petals  obovate. 
W.,  M.,  fruit  Bl.,  Aug\,  50  to  70  ft.  Wood 
fine  grained,  valuable. 
SPIRAEA.  P.  Meadow  Sweet.  Spiraea. 

S.  opulifolia.  (Neillia  opulifolia.)  A  many  stemed 
shrub  with  recurved,  grayish  branches,  round, 
somewhat  3  lobed,  heart  shaped  leaves;  flowers 
in  corymbs.  W.,  pods  short,  Old  bark  loose 
in  thin  layers  on  stem.  4  to  10  ft. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNT-Y. 

S.     salicifolia.      Common     Meadow    Sweet.     Stem 

erect,     hard,     nearly   smooth,    leafy.      Leaves 

•  wedge-shaped,  serrate.  -Flowers  small,    W.    or 

Pi.  W.,  crowded,  hi  a  panicle.  1%-  to  3  ft. 

>S;     lobata.    ''Queen  "-of   the    Meadows.     Stems    die. 

down  to  ground    each    year.     Erect,    smooth. 

L/eaves  odd  pinnate,  the  terminal  one  much   the 

larg-est,  9  parted,  lobes  cut  and  strongly  toothed. 

Flowers  in  a  large  panicle  on  a   long-  naked  pe- 

"  t-  Iduricle;'  2^  ftf.  ,  Ju.  X  A  very   handsome-  plant. 

Wet  ground. 

i-Si».  ^Aruncus..    Erect;,  tally  2  K    to    4   ft;    Smooth; 

,".t.fv  1  1  leaves  farg-e,  ternately  compound;  leaflets  ovate, 

,M.i-nt;-ax£uminate,'  •  Coarsely  serrate',-   flowers    in-  long-, 

i  "  y  •  •  .slender  spikes,1  ismall\  -W.  ,  -Ju.  \  Bluffs.  I  •  <  .  > 

GILIvENIA.  Indian  Physic.   Bowman?s<  Root,  .JB^rect, 

«  I  <>  ,  I  ^branched*  'leaves'  3^  ;f  dliatev  leaflets  lotted  doubly 

n'».tj.>  .seiiratbi  acu'ter'thi'ili!  veins  prominent,  yrtol 

il.<ij..r!iitfifoliata.     P.  •U'pper  'leaveis  much  smallier  than 

!>•)"!    lithe'lowe^;  stipules  narrdw;  petals  lotigi  narrow, 

xji""v.i;iiPi'.!;t  ifloU^er  ldistant'2'ft.'  In  bpen  wqods  <at  top  of 


RUBUS.  Black  and  Raspberries.  Prickly  stemmed 
.7  r:r'.ilshpul>s;^)rbdu^ing-  blossbms  >'atid  fruit>  on-stemsiof 
.'»  I  f.Iorrbhe  'last  '  years  growth.  •»•-•«*  --*f»f)  «^»p[  / 
;')RilKtriflorus.  Dwarf  Raspberr^.  '^Prafili-ngf  <6  to  12 
,oh.vxJti.,:  leaves  of  3  to'5  ovate,  doubly  serrate  leaf- 
h'.o'//  letfef;  'peduncles  1  to>3  flowered/  iJuJ/ 

R.     strig-osus.     Wild  Red  '  Raspberry  ^   Stems  beset 

with  -reddish,  •  stiff,    straig-ht    prickles,  :  Y«i  (Br. 

f/->m')j  Cleaves  of  3  to  5  ovate,*  acuminate,  serrate,   leaf- 

.f<fr/K-7letS'  whitish,  downy  beoeath;  fruits  red.     2  to  4 

f.  ":')  f''>'ft.-    '  M^>-'    ti^'tzrfy   trr.~-,r'    ,';. 

"-R;    'OGcidentalis.    Black  Raspb'erry.   Thimbleberry. 
R.     villosus.     Common  Hig-h  Blackberry.    2  to  6  ft. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  QQUtfTY.  .71 


M.  Ju.     _ 

R.     Canadensis.   L/pw  Blackberry,  Dewberry,  trail- 

ing-;. M.  Dry  fields, 
R.     hispidus.    Running  Swamp  Blackberry.  Stems 

slender,  prostrate,  very  ^prickly;  flowers  -  small; 

fruit  .of  a..  few  grains^   .Wet  woods  and  swampy 

places.     ,    :.  : 
GIOUM.     P.  Avens.     Erect,  leafy,    branched;  leaves 

pinnate  diminishing1  upward,    end  leaflet   much. 

the  largest,    Fruit  covered  with  hooked  Jbristles 

bv  which  thev  adhere  to  one's  clothes. 

<J  •* 

.   G.  :  album.  ...Iveayes_  next.  ground    roundish,    ne.xt 
pinnate  of  3  to,.  .5,  leaflets,  upper  _  3    parted    or 
merely  toothed;,  all  toothed,  soft-hairy;   flowery, 
W.,  fruit  &  in,4ia,:iM.  Aug.  2%.  ft.  Borders  of 


G.     Virgini  anum.   Root  and  lower  leaves  pinlnate  of 
,1  .  :  i  .  5  to  9:  smallish,  toothed^  hairy,  dark  ^reen  ,-  Jeaf- 
i  ....  .  .  lets  or  naundish,.  cordate  ,  3:  to  5   lobed;    flowers 

small,  Y»  ;  i  fruit  isma.ll,  iQn.e-six.th  in,  ,  M,  ,  Ju.  1  }4 

.!i  ______  .to  3  ft.    Thickets>      11:  ru...:i         ,.i,.,rj         ft 

FRAG  ARIA,    i  Strawberayi.,^,  Leaves  i  all  radical,  of  3 
obovate,  serrate  leaflets;  scape  Jti  any  flowered; 
»„..>.  fruit  a  scarlet  berryn   ,  .......  &      ....:.  ......  .  .      4-i 

iF.,1  Yirgiiniana,.    Leaves  erect,  .darJk  Gv  stiff,  hairs  of 
»i        scape  .silky.  i    .  4j0:,.j   .    ,..\,.    /-  .  ,r..i.    ,^. 
F.     Virg-iniana,  var.  Illinoents.is,,  .  A  larger,  strong-er 
.  ,,„:„:,  -plant,  .hairs  spreading.       ,  _,.  .  rf       „!:...,      r, 
.,,F.  i  vesca.    L,eayes  thin,,..  both  faces,  strongly  veined. 
POTENTILLA.     Cinque  Foil!    Five  Finger,.  Herbs 
f.  .,„.  .  /or  shrubsr..   The.  flowers  Y^  otherwise  like  thpse 
,,.;/,,,  .of  the  strawberry,     i 

P.     arguta.,    P.   ..Erect,  grayish,  sto.ut,  leaves  pin- 
.  ^  ,,.-  nate,  of  ,7,  to.,  9.  ovate,  „  deeply    serrate  .  leaflets, 
downy  beneath. 


72  BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,I,E  COUNTY. 

P.     Norve  giaca.     Stout,  erect,  hairy,     y*    to  2  ft. ; 

leaves  ternate,  leaflets  obovate. 
P.     supina*.     Decumbent   at  base  or    erect,    stout, 

leafy;  leaves  pinnate,    5  to  11    obovate   leaflets 

P.     paradoxa  of  5th  Ed. 
P.     Canadensis.     Five  Finger.     Slender,  prostrate 

hairy;    leaves  apparently  of  5  obovate,  sessile 

leaflets. 
POTERIUM.  (Sanguisorba  of  Wood)  Burnet.  Erect, 

tall;  leaves   pinnate,"  smooth,  large;  flowers   G. 

W.,  in  long  spikes. 
P.     Canadensis.     P.     Branched  toward  top;  2  to  6 

ft.  Wet  lands;  Reddick  farm. 
,ROSA.     P.     Roses.     Spiny    or  prickly  shrubs  with 

odd-pinnate  leaves,  having    stipules  united    to 

petiole;    calyx   urn  shaped,  becoming  fleshy  in 

fruit. 

Ip 

W.  R.  setigera.  Climbing  Rose.  Prairie  Rose.  Mich- 
igan Rose.  Climbing,  armed  with  stout,  nearly 
straight,  scattered  prickles.  Ju. 

R.  blanda.  Early  Wild  Rose.  Nearly  smooth 
leaves  pale  G..,  slightly  downy  beneath;  leaflets 
5  to  7;  2  to  3  ft. 

R.  Carolina.  Swamp  Rose.  Armed  with  stout, 
hooked  prickles;  leaves  of  5  to  9  elliptical  leaf- 
lets, dull  G.  above  brighter  below;  4  to  7  ft. 
Ju.  Sept.  Damp  lands. 

R.  lucida.  Dwarf  Wild  Rose.  Leaves  shining 
above;  leaflets  generally  7;  1  to  6  ft.  Damp 
places. 

R.  rubiginosa.  Sweet  briar.  Eglantine.  Armed 
wiih  strong  recurved  prickles  and  many  smaller 
ones;  Stems  stout,  leaves  thickish,  5  to  7  leaf- 
lets, broad,  oval,  rusty  beneath;  fruit  large, 
scarlet.  About  old  places. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAIvLE  COUNTY.  73 

PYRUS.     Pear,  Apple,  Trees  of  medium  size. 

P.     coronaria.     Crab  Apple. 

P.  arbutifolia.  Choke  Berry.  Fruit  R.  or  P. 
Looks  like  a  wild  cherry  but  has  a  very  puckery 
taste;  flowers  W.;  M.  Ju.  2  to  7  ft.  Rocky 
banks  of  streams. 

P.  Americana.  Mountain  Ash.  Leaves  pinnate 
of  9  to  15  lanceolate  sharply  serrate  leaflets; 
flowers  in  clusters,  small,  W.;  fruit  red  berries 
in  a  large  cluster. 

CRATAEGUS.     Hawthorn.  White  Thorn.    Thorny 
Shrubs  or  small  trees. 

C.  cocinea.  Scarlet  Fruited  Thorn. .  Leaves  thin 
roundish  ovate,  sharply  toothed,  sometimes 
lobed,  on  slender  petioles;  flowers  W..  M.,  15  to 
25ft.  Fruit  bright  red.  Along  streams. 

C.  tomentosa.  Black  Thorn.  Branches  gray  with 
some  stout  gray  thorns;  leaves  large,  woolly 
beneath  ovate,  toothed  narrowed  to  base;  flow  _ 
ers  small;  fruit  red,  flowers  later  than  coccinea. 

C.  punctata.  Branches  horizontal,  leaves  obovate 
narrowed  to  base,  upper  end  toothed,  dull;  fruit 
large,  R.  or  Y. 

C.  crusgalli.  Cockspur  Thorn,  Thorns  long, 
slender,  leaves  wedge-obovate,  thick,  shining 
above,  dark  G.,  serrate  above  middle;  fruit  dull 
red,  10  to  15  ft.  Along  streams. 

AMKLANCHIKR.     June  Berry.   Shad  Flower.   Ser- 
vice Berry. 

A.  Canadensis.  A  small  straggling  tree  8  to  25 
ft.,  producing  an  abundance  of  W.  flowers  in 
early  spring  before  the  leaves  appear;  leaves 
ovate-oblong,  acute,  finely  serrate;  fruit  a  red 
berry.  Bark  smooth,  light  gray.  Along  bluffs. 

Order  34.     CALYCANTHA  CEAE.     Calycanths. 


74  BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 

CALYCANTHUS.  Shrubs  with  aromatic  leaves  and 
bark  and  P.  flowers  at  ends  of  branches;  2%  to 
7ft. 

C.     floridus.     Leaves  oval,  soft  downy  below. 
C.  laevigatus.   I/eaves  oblong,  thin,  green,  smooth. 
C.    glaucus.  Leaves  oblong-ovate,  acuminate,  white 

below.     All  are  found  in  gardens. 
Order  35.  SAXIPRAGACEAE.  Saxifrages.  Herbs 

and  shrubs. 
SAXIFRAGA.     P.     Saxifrage.     Root  leaves  usually 

clustered:  those  of  stem  alternate,  all  thick. 
S.  Virginiensis.  Early  Saxifrage.  Leaves  obovate 
narrowed  into  a  broad  petiole,  crenate  toothed, 
downy;  scape  nearly  leafless;  flowers  in  abroad, 
flat  cluster,  W.  or  P.  W. ;  4  to  12  in.  Ap.  M. 
On  rocks  and  dry  hills. 

S.  Pennsylvanica.  Leaves  oblanceolate,  slightly 
toothed,  4  to  8  in.  long  and  narrowing  into  a 
short  broad  petiole.  Stem  1  to  2  ft.  hollow, 
hairy,  sticky;  flowers  in  a  large  cluster  forming 
a  panicle.  Y.  G.;  M.,  Bogs. 

MIT  ELL  A.  Miller  Wort.  Bishop's  Cap.  Hairy, 
leaves  cordate,  somewhat  3  to  5  lobed  in  a 
cluster. 

M.     diphylla.     Stems   slender  with    two    cordate, 

acuminate  opposite  leaves  in  middle  and  a  spike 

of  delicate  W.  flowers  with  fringed  petals;  6  to 

10  in.     M.  Woods. 

HEUCHERA.     P.     Alumroot.     Leaves  in  a   cluster 

round-cordate. 
H.     Americana.     Stems  2  to 3  ft.,  hairy;  flowers  Y. 

M.  Ju. 
CHRYSOPLEN1UM.     Water  Carpet.  Golden  Saxe- 

frage. 
W.  C.   Americanum.     Leaves  opposite   roundish,    G. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALM  COUNTY.  75 

Y.,  stamens  8;  anthers  Or.;  Stems   square.     In 
spring's  and  streams. 

PARNASSIA,  P.  Grass  of  Parnassus.  Leaves 
from  root,  smooth;  flowers  solitary,  each  stem 
bearing-  one  clasping-  leaf. 

P.  palustsis.  Scapes  5  to  10  in.,  leaves  cordate 
thick  shining-  above,  flowers  W.  1  in.  broad.  A 
plant  of  wet  springy  lands,  Farm  Ridg-e,  S.  E. 
corner  of  N.  E.  #  of  Sec.  18  near  A.  W.  Grif- 
fith's place.  The  place  having-  been  drained  it 
has  disappeared.  *  About  Eng-lewood,  Cook  Co. 
Also  near  Morrison,  Whiteside  Co. 

HYDRANGEA.     Shrubs    with    opposite     petiolate, 

leaves,  no  stipules,  and  flowers  in  larg-e  cymes. 

H.     asborescens.       Smooth,    branching-    2   to  5  ft. 

flowers  G.  W.  outer  ones  larg-e,  showy,    sterile; 

Ju.  Aug-.   Rocky  bluffs. 

RIBES.     Currant.  Gooseberry.  Fruit  a  berry,  leaves 

palmately  lobed. 

R.  Cynosbati,  Wild  g-ooseberry.  Fruit  covered 
with  prickles;  leaves  round-cordate,  3  to  5 lobed; 
flowers  G.  Y. 

Jh.  R.   rotundifolium.  Stems  with  whitish  bark,  often 

prickly;  fruit  smooth;  flowers  G.  Y. 
R.     oxyacanthoides.     R.    hirtellum  of  5th  Ed.     Pe- 
duncles very  short;  fruit  usually  smooth,  spines 
if  present  \vhitish;  flowers  G.  Y.  ting-ed  P. 
R.     floridum.     Wild  Black  Currant.     Leaves  some- 
what   cordate,    sharply  3  to    5    lobed,     doubly 
serrate;  flowers  yellow;  fruit  black,  smooth. 
Order  36.     CRASSULA  CEAE.       House    Leaks. 
Orpines.    Except  Penthorum  plants  with  thickn 
fleshy  leaves,  the    flowers    symmetrical;  pistils, 
petals  and  sepals   same  number,    3    to    20   and 
stamens  the  same  or  twice  as  many. 


76  BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 

PENTHORUM.     P.  Ditch  Stone  Crop.     Erect  with, 

scattered  leaves  and  Y.  G.  flowers. 
P.     sedoides.     I/eaves  lanceolate,  acute   both    ends; 

10  to  15  in.   In  ditches  and  ponds. 
SEDUM.     P.   Stone   Crop.     Orpine.     Leaves   thick. 

juicy;  petals  4  to  5;  stamens  8  to  10. 
S.     ternatum.     Prostrate;  leaves    in    3's    obovate- 

cuneate;  flowers  in  a  3   rowed  cyme,    W.     Wet 

clayey  banks;  S.  Ottawa  1  mile  E.  of   111.    river 

bridge  on  bluff  side. 
SEMPERVITUM.     Leaves    thick,    fleshy,    fring-ed, 

sometimes  blooms;  stem  1  to    \l/2     ft.,   flowers 

red. 
S.     tectorun.     Spreads  by  offsets,    sometimes   used 

as  a  border  for  flower  beds  and  for  walks. 
S.     Telephium.    Liveforever.   Erect,  leafy,  smooth; 

leaves  sessile,  ovate,  obtuse,  serrate;  flowers  R. 

18  to  30  in.  Aug.   Sometimes  found  by  roadside. 
Order  38.     HAMAMELACEAE-  Witch  Hazel. 

Stout  shrubs  or  small,  crooked,  smooth    barked 

trees. 
HAMAMELIS.     Witch  Hazel.     Small  tree  flowering- 

in  autumn — Sept.  and  on. 
H.     Virginiana.     Leaves  obovate  or    o\al,   crenate, 

obliquely  cordate;  thick  on  short  petioles;    flow- 
ers Y.  in  axils  of  leaves.  Fruit  a  2  celled  nutlet; 

10  to  23  ft.  111.  Valley. 
Order  39.     HALORAGEAE,     Water  Milfoils. 

Aquatic  or  marsh  plants,    n 
MYRIOPHYLLUM.     W^ater  Milfoil.     Parts   of  the 

flowers  in  4's.     Leaves  often    whorled,   flowers 

in  axils  of  upper  leaves. 
M.     verticillatum.      Leaves    in     thread-like     lobes 

except  those  near  the  flowers  which    are  deeply 

toothed.     In  ponds. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY.  77 

M.     scabratum.      rather    slender;     leaves    pinnate, 

floral  linear,  toothed.     Shallow  water. 
Order  40.     MELASOMACEAE.     Melastomes. 

Leaves  opposite  3  to  7  ribbed. 
RHEXIA.    P.  Deer  Grass.     Meadow  beauty.    Petals 

4,  larg-e,  oblique;  stamens  8. 
R.     Virg-inica.    Stem  square,  leaves  oval-lanceolate, 

sessile,  acute,  calyx  and  pedicels  hairy;  flowers 

P.  with  Y.  anthers.  Reddick  farm.  A  fine  plant. 
Order  41.     LYTHRACEAE.     Loosestrifes. 

Herbs;  leaves  mostly  opposite,  entire;  calyx  en- 

closing-'ovary  but  free  from  it.  Branches  usually 

4  sided. 
DIDIPLIS.     Water  Purslane.  Leaves  opposite,  linear 

growing-  u~ider  water  or  in    the  mud.     Flowers 

small,  greenish. 
D.     linearis.     Immersed  leaves,  long-  thin,    sessile; 

others  shorter  aud  contracted  at  base. 
LYTHRUM.     LooseStrife.     Leaves  mostly   sessile, 

flowers  generally  P. 
L.     alatum.     P.  Slender,  2  to  3  ft.,  branches  ang-u- 

lar,  leaves  small,  oblong--ovate,   acute;  petals   5 

to  7  ,deep  P.     Wet  lands. 
DECODON.     P.     Shrubby  plants    with   opposite  or 

whorled  leaves  in  axillary  clusters. 
D.     verticillatus.     Stems  4  sided,    recurved;    leaves 

pale  G.,    lanceolate,     nearly    sessile.     Flowers 

small,  pale  P.  Ju.  Sept.     Swamps. 
CUPHEA.     A.     Plants  covered  with  sticky,    brown 

hairs. 

C.     viscosis  sima.   Slender,  branching-;  leaves  ovate- 
lanceolate,  P.     S.  Ottawa  and  at  foot   of  bluff 

W.  of  Covel  Creek. 
Order  42.     ONAGRACEAE.     Evening-  Primroses. 

Herbs  with  perfect  and    symmetrical    flowers, 


78  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

the  calyx  tube  cohering1  with  the  ovary  which  is 

2  to  4  celled 
LUDWIGIA.     P,     Flowers  axillary;  petals   4   or   0; 

stamens  4.     Blooms  through  summer  and  fall; 

flowers  Y.     Wet  lands. 
L.     alternifolia.     Smooth,    erect,    2/^     to     3    ft., 

branched;  leaves  lanceolate,  acute  at  both  ends; 

capsule  squarish  with  winged  angles. 
Jh.  Iv.  polycarpa.     I/eaves   narrowly   linear;  capsule 

somewhat  top-shaped,  longer  than  calyx  lobes. 
L-     palustris.     Water  Purselane.  L/eaves  opposite, 

ovate  or  oval,  tapering  into  a    slender    petiole. 

Ditches. 
EPILO  BIUM.     Willow  Herb.  Leaves  nearly  sessile; 

stem  more  or  less  tinged  with  purple  as  are  the 

leaves;  branches  slender,  fruit   long,    slim   and 

angled.     Wet  lands. 
E.  strictum.   Erect,  2/^  ft.,  covered  with  glandular, 

whitish  hairs;  petals  notched.  E.  Mol  le  5th  Ed. 
E.     angustifo lium.     Erect,  tall,  4  to  7   ft.,    leaves 

scattered,    lanceolate,     nearly    entire;    flowers 

large  P.  petals  entire. 

Jh.  E.  colosatum.  Somewhat  soft-hairy,  very  branch- 
ing; leaves  purple  veined,  flowers  Pi.    1  to  3  ft. 
E.     palustre.     Slender,  1  ft.  or  less,    more   or   less 

branched;  covered  with  fine    hairs;  leaves  erect 

or  nearty  so,  sessile,  narrow  lanceolate;  margins 

revolute. 
OENOTHERA.     Evening  Primrose.     Calyx  lobes  4, 

reflexed;  petals  4,  stamens   8,    leaves- alernate, 

flowers  Y.  or  W. 

O.     biennis.     Stout,   erect,  1  to  5  ft.,  hairy. 
O.     rhombipetala.     Somewhat  wooly;  petals  broad- 
ovate,  acute. 
Jh.  O.  sinua  ta.     More  or  less  decumbent.  1  ft.  rough, 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,LE  COUNTY.  79 

hairy;  leaves  oblong-,  toothed  more  or  less.  Var. 
O.     fruiticosa.    Erect,  1  to  3  ft.  more  or  less  woolly; 

leaves    oblong-,     toothed,    capsule    ribbed    and 

winged. 
O.     ?     A  species  with  reclining1  stem,    hairy,    oval, 

acute  leaves  and  flowers  few;  1^4  broad,  occurs 

very  sparingly  in  damp  meadows. 
GAURA.     I/eaves  alternate,  sessile. 

G.     biennis.     Soft  hairy,  3  to  8  ft.   with   spreading 

branches;  leaves   long-,   narrow,    some    toothed 

flowers  scattered  on  long-,  naked  branches;    Pi. 

rather  small,  soon  withering.     Dry  lands. 
W.  G.  filipes.     Nearly  smooth,  slender,   2   to    4   ft., 

leaves  linear,  toothed. 

CIRCAEAE.   Enchanter's  Nightshade.  Leaves  oppo- 
site,   thin,  on   slender  petioles;    flowers   small, 

white,  in  long  racemes. 
C.     lyutetiana.     Erect,  1    to   2    ft.;    leaves    ovate, 

slightly  toothed;  fruit  bristly-hairy.    Woods. 
B.  C.  alpina.     Smooth,  low,  3  to  8  in.;  fruit  with    soft 

hairs. 

Order  45.     CURCURBITACEAE.     Gourds. 
STCYOS.     A.    Bur  Cucumber.  A  vine  with  3  forked 

tendrils.      Flowers  of  2  kinds. 
.    S.     angula  tus.     I/eaves  cordate,  sharply  5  angled. 

bristly-clammy-hairy.  River  banks. 
ECHINOCYS  TIS.    A.     Prickly    Cucumber.     Wild 

Balsam  Apple.  Nearly  smooth;  tendrils  3  forked; 

leaves  thin. 
E.     lobata.     Leaves   deeply  and  sharply   5    lobed; 

fruit  bristly,  oval,  2  in.  long;  seeds  brown.    The 

staminate  flowers  of  this  genus  and  of  Sicyos  are 

Y,  W.  or  W.  and  in  large  showy  clusters. 
Order  46.     CACTACEAE.     Cactuses. 

Plants    with    fleshy,     often    prostrate     stems, 


80  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

usually  leafless;  with  showy  and  of  ten  large  and 
fragrant  flowers. 
OPUNTIA.     P.     Prickly  Pear.     Indian    Fig-.     Stem 

made  up  of  flattened  joints;  very  prickly. 
O.     Rafinisquii.  Flowers  large,  Y.  Ju.  Sandy  land. 
With  Wood  we  prefer  to  regard    to  this  genus 
as  of  one  species,    vulgaris,    and    rafinisquii   as 
but  a  variety  of  it.     We   could  produce   plants 
from  about  Ottawa  answering1   to   the   descrip- 
tions and  those  differing-  from  both. 
Order  47.     FICOIDEAE.  Chiefly  fleshy,  succulent 

plants  the  following-  without  petals. 
MOLL/EGO,     A.     Low,  much  branched. 

M.     verticillata.     Carpet  Weed.     Prostrate;  leaves 
spatulate,  in  whorls  at   the  joints;    pedicels    1 
flowered;  Ju.  Sept.   Sandy  lands. 
Order  48.  UMBELLIFARAE.     Umbel  Worts. 
Flowers  in  an  umbel,  small,  g-enerally  W.  or  Y. 
petals    5,   stamens  5.    fruit    small,    dry,     often 
aromatic;  leaves  g-enerally  compound. 
DAUCUS.     Carrot.    Sometimes  found  in  meadows. 

D,     Carota.     A  common  plant  of  the  g-arden. 
ANGELICA.     Archang-elica  of  5th  Ed." 

A.     atropurpurea.     Stout,  smooth,  purple;  leaves  2 
to  3  ternately  divided  segments,  pinnate,  5  to  7  . 
ovate,  serrate  leaflets;  flowers  W.  River  banks. 
HERACLEUM.     P.     Cow   Parsnip.     Stout;    leaves 

larg-e,  ternately  compound. 

PASTINACA.     Parsnip.     Stem  grooved;  flowers  Y. 
P.     sativa.    Leaves  pinnately  compound,  ovate,  cut- 
toothed.     Very  common  and  spreading-. 
M1TCHELLA.     Partridge  Berry.     A  slender,   trail- 
ing- evergreen  plant. 

M.  repens.  Leaves  small,  round-ovate;  flowers 
two  together,  ovaries  united;  berries  Rs.  Y\  in. 
dia. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  81 

POIvYTAENlA.   P.   Generally  smooth;  leaves  twice 

pinnate. 
P.     Nuttallii.     Plant  2  to  3  ft.;  flowers   bright    Y. 

Dry  places. 

THASPIUM.  P.  Meadow  Parsnip.  Leaves  ternately 
divided,  or  the  lower  not  with  broad  serrate  or 
toothed  leaflets;  flowers  Y.  or  P.,  fruit  roundish 
instead  of  flat. 

T.     aureum.     Smooth;  flowers  deep  Y.  1^4  to  2  ft. 
T.          "       var.  Atropurpureum.  Flowers  P. 
PIMPINELLA.     P.     Differs  from  Thaspium  in  hav- 
ing- entire  leaflets  and  the  fruit  oblong-. 
P.     integ-g-errima.   Slender,  1  to  3  ft.,  branching-,  M. 
CRYPTOTAENIA.     P.     Smooth,    leaves     thin,     3 

foliate. 

C.     Canadensis.     Plant  1  to   3   ft.,    leaflets   larg-e, 
ovate,  acuminate,  doubly    serrate,   often   lobed. 
Ju.  Sept. 
SIUM.     P.     Water   Parsnip.     Smooth,    growing-    in 

water  or  wet  places. 

S.     cicutaefolium.     Stout,  2  to  6  ft.,  leaves  pinnate, 
3  to   8   pairs  of  linear,     lanceolate,    acuminate, 
serrate  leaflets,  flowers  small,  white. 
C1CUTA.     Water  Hemlock.     Smooth,     growing-     in 

marshes. 

C.  maculata.  Spotted  Cowbane.  Musquash  Root. 
Beaver  Poison.  Stout,  2  to  5  ft.  streaked  with 
P.,  leaves  2  to  3  pinnate,  leaves  on  long- petioles; 
leaflets  long-  narrow,  serrate,  acute,  rather 
distant  and  very  small  for  so  larg-e  a  plant;  flow- 
ers W.  small.  Root  fleshy,  W.  A  dang-erous 
poison. 

CHAEROPHYL  LUM.  A.  Leaves  ternately  com- 
pound; leaflets  with  long-  narrow  lobes. 


82  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

C,    -procumbeus.     Reclining;     flowers     W.     Moist 

grounds. 

OSMORRHIZA.     P.     Sweet     Cicely.     Root     thick, 
aromatic;  leaves  large  ternately  compound  with 
ovate,  toothed  leaflets.     Flowers  W. 
•   O.     brevistylis.     Hairy,  dark  G.  fruit  long,   sharp- 
pointed.     M.  J.     Damp  woods. 

O.     longistylis.     Nearly    smooth,     wide-branching; 

fruit  club  shaped,  pointed. 

ERYNGIUM.  P.  Tall,  stout,  rigid,  whitish;  leaves 
mostly  radical,  thick,  stiff. 

E}.  yuccaefolium.  Rattlesnake  Master.  Button 
Snakeroot.  Leaves  long,  narrow7,  acute,  bristly 
margined;  flowers  W.  in  close  heads  ^4  to  ^4. 
dia.  Prairie,  damp  or  dry. 

SANICULA  P.  Herbs,  smooth,  tall,  1  to  3  ft.  palm- 
ately  lobed  leases,  radical  ones  long  stemmed; 
flowers  in  a  leafy  looking  head,  fruit  with 
hooked  prickles. 

S.  Marylan  dica.  Black  Snakeroot.  Leaves  3  to 
1  parted,  parts  sharp  toothed  and  serrate;  flow- 
ers very  small,  G.  Y.  Damp  woods. 

Order  49.     ARALIA.     Ginsengs. 

Differs  from  umbelliferae  in  the  fruit  being  a 
juicy  berry  instead  of  a  dry  seed.  Styles  of 
pistils  more  than  2. 

ARALIA.  P.  Ginseng.  Wild  Sarsaparilla.  Leaves 
very  large  2^2  to  3  ft.  broad,  compound,  stems 
P.  or  spotted  and  striped  with  P. 

A.  spinosa.  Stem  and  petioles  prickly;  8  to  12  ft. 
Sometimes  planted  for  ornament. 

A.  racemosa.  Stout,  zigzag,  smooth;  flowers  in 
small  axillary  umbels,  G.  W.  fruit  a  small,  P., 
aromatic  berry.  3  10  4  ft.  Rocky  woods. 

A.     nudicaulis.     Leaf  one,  3  parted,  each  of  5  oval, 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  83 


acute,  serrate  leaflets;  flowers  in  2  to   7   umbels 

on  a  naked  scape.     M,  Ju.   Woods. 
A.    quinquefolia.  Root  thick,  spindle  shaped;  leaves 

one,  leaflets    mostly   5,    obovate-oblong-,    acute; 

fruit  brig-ht  R.  Ju.     Rich,  damp  woods. 
Order  50.     CORNACEAE.     Dogwoods.     Cornels. 

Mostly  small  trees  with  bitter   bark   and    very 

hard  wood. 
CORNUS.     Dog-wood.     Flowers  in    cymes    or   close 

heads;  bark  of  branches  green  or   red,    smooth, 

with  brown  warts.     Bloom  M.  Ju. 
C.     Canadensis.     I/ow  5  to  7  inches;    leaves   in  4's 

or  6's  flowers   greenish;    fruit    R.     Found    on 

bank  of  Illinois  river  in   Deer    Park  Tp.    E}.  of 

mouth  of  Horseshoe  Canyon.    6  or  7  years  ag-o; 

not  seen  of  late. 
C.     circinata.   Leaves  round-oval,  acute;   G.  above; 

lig-hter  and  wooly  below.  Fruit  lig-ht   B.     10  to 

20  ft.,  branches  G.,  woody. 
C.     sericea.     Branches    P.,    those    of    the  petioles 

and  leaves  below  soft-downy;  leaves    elliptical, 

acute;  fruit  pale  B.  3  to  10  ft. 
C.     stoloniferae.     Red  Osier.   Branches  R,  P.,  slen- 

der, smooth,  fruit  W.  or  B.   3  to  6  ft.,  increases 

by  runners.     Wet  places. 
C.     paniculata.  Branches  P.  gray,  smooth,  branch- 

ing-, 4  to  8  ft.     Flowers   W.,     fruit   W.     Damp 

places. 
C.     alternifolia.     Branches  G.  streaked    with    W., 

leaves  alternate  ovate  or  oval,  acuminate,    fruit 

deep  B.  7  to  25ft.    Hillsides. 

NYSSA.     Tupelo,   Pepperidg-e,  Sourg-um  Tree. 
N.     Sylvatica,     Branches    horizontal;    leaves   oval, 

acute,  or  not,  thick,  brig-ht,   glossy  G.,   turning- 

crimson  in  autumn.      A  few  bushes  8   to    10   ft. 


84  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

hig-h  on  the  Reddick  farm  on  the  edg-e   of  sand- 
stone about  40  rods  from  E.  line  of  field. 
DIVISION  11.  GAMOPETALEAEorMONOPET- 

ALEAE.     The  Corolla  of  one  piece. 
Order  51.     CAPRIFOLIA  CEAE.     Honeysuckles. 

Leaves  opposite;  fruit  a  several  seeded  berry. 
SAMBUCUS.     Elder.     Leaves  pinnate,  leaflets  5  to 

11,  leafless  serrate,  acute. 
S.     Canadensis.     Flowers  W.  in  broad  cymes;  fruit- 

P;  6  to  10  ft.  Ju.  J. 

S.     racemosa.   Leaflets  5  to  7,  berries  brig-ht 
S.     racemosa  dissecta.  Leaflets  cut  into  long-  narrow 

lobes.     Deer  Park  Tp.    >^    mile  W.   of    Horse- 
shoe Canyon,  in  ravine. 
VIBURNUM.     Arrow    Wood.     Flowers    2     parted; 

stamens  5;  fruit  a  1    seeded    berry.     Shrubs  of 

damp  land. 
V.     acerifo  Hum.     Dockmackie.     Leaves  somewhat 

3  lobed,  soft-downy  below;  flowers  W.  fruit  Cr. 

becoming-  P. 
V.     pubescens.     Low  strag-g-ling-;  leaves  long--ovate, 

acute,  fruit  dark  P.    Rocky  places. 
Jh.  V.  dentatum.     Arrow  Wood.  Smooth.  5  to  15  ft. 

bark  ash  color;  leaves  wide-ovate,  sharp  toothed 

and  strong-ly  veiled.     J.  Fruit  P. 
V.     Lentag-o.  Black  Hawr.  Leaves  ovate  acuminate, 

sharply  serrate;  petioles    marg-ined;    berries    ^ 

in.  long-  flat,  black,  sweet,  eatable. 
V.     prumfolium.     Black  Haw.     Leaves  oval,   finely 

and  sharpty  serrate;  fruit  smaller  than  that  of 

Lentag-o. 
TRIOSTEUM.     P.     Fever  Wort.     Horse   Gentian. 

Hairy,  leafy,  to  top. 
T.     perfoliatum.     Leaves  larg-e,  oval,  bases  almost 

meeting1;  flowers  P.,  axillary  in  small    clusters; 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  85 

berries  Or.  crowned  by  calyx. 

S YMPHORICAR  POS.  Snow  Berry.  A  shrub 
with  smallish,  oval,  leaves;  flowers  Pi.  in  leafy 
spikes  and  white  globose  berries  of  ^  in.  dia. 
Ju.  Sept. 

LONICERA.       Honey-Suckle.      Woodbine.     Leaves 

entire. 

L.  semper  virens,  Trumpet  Honeysuckle.  Flow- 
ers R.  without,  Y.  within. 

L.  Sullivantii.  Whitish,  smooth;  leaves  oval, 
sessile,  and  upper  connate  or  united  at  base; 
flowers  Y.,  berries  Cr.  L.  flava  of  5th  EM. 

Jh.  L.  glauca.  Smooth;  leaves  oblong,  pale,  1  to  4 
upper  pairs  connate;  flowers  G.  Y.  L.  parvi- 
flora  5th  Ed. 

DIERVILLA.  Bush  Honeysuckle.  Low  straggling- 
shrubs. 

D.     trifida.      Leaves   long-ovate,    acuminate    short 
petioled;  flowers  pale  Y.,  J.  Aug.  Rocky  places. 
Order  52.     RUBIACEAE.   Madders.   Leaves  oppo- 
site; entire,  connected  by  stipules  seed  pod  2  to 
4  celled. 

HOUSTONIA.  Low  plants  with  small,  narrow 
leaves  and  W.  or  purplish  flowers  in  flat-heads 
cymes. 

H.  purpurea.  M.  J.  3  to  6  in.  Edges  of  bluffs. 
Ours  var.  ciliolata.  Leaves  somewhat  thick. 

CEPHALANTHUS.     Button-bush.    Flowers  W.  in 

dense  globular  heads. 

C.  occidentalis.  Shrub.  Smooth;  leaves  ovate, 
acute,  shining  above.  In  ponds  and  by  slow 
running  streams. 

GALITTM.     Cleavers.    Leaves  whorled,  stems  square 

and  generally  trailing  and  bristly. 
G;     Aparine.     Weak  and  reclining!  flower  W.,  bell- 


86  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALL,E  COUNTY. 

shaped.     Among"  the  grass  in  wet  lands. 
G.     pilosum.     Hairy;  leaves   oval,    pedicels   2  to  3 

forked.     Dry  places. 
G.     circaezans.     Smooth   or   downy,    1    ft.;  leaves 

oval    to    long-ovate,    obtuse;     peduncles  -  once 

forked,  flowers  greenish.  Woods. 
G.     trifidum.     Leaves  in  whorls  of  4  to  6,   oblance- 

olate  peduncles    1    to   7    flowered;    var.     Peat 

swamp. 

G.     concinnum,     Leaves  in  6's  linear  acutish.  vein- 
less;  peduncles  2  to  3  times  forked. 
G.     asprellum,     Branching-,  rough  hooked    prickles 

turned  backward;  leaves  in  whorls  of  6,  4  to  5 

on  branchlets,  oval-lanceolate.     Rich  lands. 
G.     triflorum,     Bristly    roughened     backward     on 

angles  leaves  elliptial  lanceolate,  bristle  pointed; 

peduncles  3  flowered.     Woods,  sweet  scented. 
Order  53.     VALERIANACEAE.     Valerians. 

Leaves  opposite  and  without  stipules. 
VALERIANA.    P.     Roots  thick,  strong-  scented. 
V.     edulis.   Leaves  fine-hairy,  of  the  root  spatulate, 

of  the  stem  pinnately  parted  into  3  to  7  narrow 

lobes,  thickish,  flowers  W.     1  to  4  ft.    Ju.    Wet 

places. 
VALERIANELLA.    P.   Corn  Salad,  Lamb  Lettuce. 

Stems  forking;  leaves  opposite,  oblong-  or  linear. 
V.     radiata.     Leaves  linear-oblong,  obtuse,  toothed 

toward  base,    smooth;  light  G.    FlowTers  W.  in 

cymes,  small;  6  to  12  in.  Ju.  Wet  springy  lands. 
Order  55.     COMPOSITAE.     Sunflowers. 

Herbaceous  or  shrubby  plants;  flowers  in  close 
heads,  surrounded  by  a  several,  many-leaved  envelope, 
the  involucre  and  looking  like  one  large  flower.  The 
separate  flowers — -florets--a.re  small  and  of  two  kinds, 
tubtularV\\K  those  of  the  thistle  and  the  middle  of  the 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  87 

sunflower  or  long1,  narrow  and  flat,  strap-shaped  or 
ligulatc.  Heads  made  up  of  tubular  florets  are  said 
to  be  discoid,  of  ligulate  florets  radiate,  part  of  one 
part  the  other  radiant.  When  the  two  occur  in  the 
same  head  the  lig-ulate  are  usually  around  the  border 
and  are  called  rays,  the  tubular  in  the  middle,  called 
the  disc.  The  calyx  is  represented  by  hairs,  bristles, 
awns,  scales  and  teeth  crowning-  the  seed--ackene. 
The  leaves  of  the  involucre  are  called  scales.  The 
hairs  etc.,  crowning1  the  seed  is  the  pappus 

The  florets  of  the  dandelion  are  lig^ulate  of  the 
thistle,  E}upatorium  and  many  others  tubular,  of  the 
Aster,  Solidag-a  or  g-olden  rod  both  kinds. 

The  order    is    divided   into  3  sub-families,   viz: 
Tubuliflorae.     Florets  tubular  or  disc  tubular, 
rays  lig-ulate. 

lyio-uliflorae.     Florets  all  lig^ulate. 
Labiatiflorae.     Florets  mostly  labiate. 
VERNONIA.     P.     Iron    Weed.     Stems  leafy,  leaves 
alternate,  serrate,  acuminate;  heads  small;  flow- 
ers P.   Aug\  2  to  6  ft. 

V.     fasiculata,     Leaves   long1,    narrow;    scales    ob- 
tuse. 
V.     altissima.     Tall;    leaves    broader,     heads    not 

crowded. 
V.     Novaeboracensis.     Scales  tipped  with    a   short 

awn. 

EUPATORIUM.  P.  Toroug-hwort.  Boneset.  Heads 
small;  flowers  W.,  bluish  or  P.,  leaves  opposite, 
J.  Aug-. 

K.  purpureum.  Joe  Pye  Weed.  Trumpet  Weed. 
Tall;  leaves  in  whorls  of  3  to  6;  flowers  Pi.,  P.; 
2  to  12  ft. 

K,  serotinum.  Leaves  ovate-lanceolate  coarse- 
serrate;  W. 


88  BOTANY  OF  L,A  SALLE  COUNTY. 

B.  E.  altissimum.     Leaves  lanceolate  tapering  to  both 

ends  upper  alternate;  W.,  3  to  7  ft.  Dry  places. 
E.     perfoliatum.     Hairy  leaves  united  at  base;    W. 

Damp  lands.     A  powerful  medicine;  emetic  and 

purg-ative. 
E}.     ag'eratoides.     Smooth,  branching1;  leaves  broad, 

ovate,  acuminate,  toothed,  thin;    W.     in    larg-e 

carymbs.     Showy  and    handsome.     2   to   3   ft. 

Woods. 

KHUNIA.     P.     Leaves  alternate,  toothed  or   entire. 
K.     eupatorioidis;  Leaves  long1,  narrow,  flowers    Y. 

Aug1.     Dry  places. 
LTATRIS.    Button  Snake  Root.  Blazing  Star.  Heads 

nearly  sessile,  in  long1  spikes.     Splendid  plants 

with  rigid,  leafy  stems.     P.  flowers.     Ju.  Aug-. 
L.     squarrosa.    Leaves  stiff,  long-  and  very  narrow; 

scale  tips  leaf}^,  spreading-;  heads  few;  1  to  2  ft. 
L.     cylindra  cea.     Usually   smooth;    leaves    linear; 

heads  few;  scales  short,  rounded,    mueronate;  6 

to  18  in.     Dry  places. 
L.     scariosa.     Stout,    2  to    5    ft.,     woolly;    leaves 

roug-h,  upper  leaves  lanceolate,  lowest  long-  and 

petiolate;  heads  larg-e;  scale's  tips  dry  or  colored. 
L.     pycnosta  chya.     Stout    3    to  5  ft.,   very  leafy; 

leaves   narrow;    heads   many  in  a  thick  spike, 

small;  scale  tips  recurved,  colored. 
L.     spicata.     Smooth,  leafy,  2  to  5   ft.;    scale   tips 

obtuse,  close.     Moist  places. 
GRINDELIA.     P.     Smooth  with  sessile  or  clasping" 

stiff  leaves. 
G.     squarrosa.     Leaves  spatulate  to  linear  oblong-; 

Y.     Found  by  Prof.  Boltwood  in  1882  by   the 

C.,  R.  I.  &  P.   R.  R.  1  mile  W.  of  Ottawa. 
SOLIDAGO.     P.     Golden  Rod.  Stems  slender,  stem 

leaves  nearly  sessile;  flowers  usually  Y.  in  larg-e 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY.  89 

clusters  of  small  heads. 

S.     caesia.     Stem  round,  smooth;  leaves  long-,  nar- 
row, serrate,  sessile;  heads  in  short  clusters. 
S.     latifolia.     Angular,  zigzag-;  leaves  broad-ovate, 

thin. 
S.     bicolor.     Hairy,  leaves  broad,  lanceolate,  acute 

at  both  ends,  little  serrate  petiolate;  clusters  of 

flowers  form  a  loose  spike,  W. 
S.     bicolor  var.  con  color.     Flowers  Y.     Our  form 

of  the  plant. 
S.     semper  virens.    Smooth,  stout,  1  to  8  ft.;  leaves 

lanceolate,  a  little  clasping;  flowers  in   a   loose 

panicle.     One  specimen  collected  by   Mr.  L.  A. 

Williams,  Atty.  at  Law  of  Ottawa  near  the  Salt 

Marsh  in  fall  of  1895. . 

S,  speciosa.  Leaves  thickish;  panicle  pyramidal. 
S.  patula.  Angled,  smooth,  2  to  4  ft.  leaves  4  to  8 
•  in.  long,  ovate,  acute,  sessate,  pale,  rough  above, 

veiny  below;  bralches  spreading.     Swamps. 
S.     rugosa.     Rough-hairy,  leafy,  1  to  6    ft.,   leaves 

thickish  and  rugose. 
S.     neglecta.     Leaves  thickish,   smooth;  2  to  4  ft. 

Damp  lands. 

S.     arguta.     Stem  angular;   leaves  ovate,   thin  ser- 
rate, lower  petioles  margined.     Moist  places. 
S.     juncea.     Smooth  1  to  3    ft.,   lower  leaves   with 

winged    and    hairy    petioles,      sharp     sessate, 

racemes  long,  drooping. 
S.     Missouriensis.     Leaves  long,   narrow,    margins 

very  rough. 
S.     serotina.      Stout,     smooth;     leaves     lanceolate, 

acute,  serrate. 
S.     serotina  var.  gigantea.     S.  gigantea  of  5th  Ed. 

Tall,  more  or  less  soft-hairy.     5  to  8  ft. 
S.    -Canadensis.    Rough-hairy,  stout,  tall,  3  to  6  ft. 

leaves  narrow,  acute,  more  or  less  serrate.  Com. 


90  BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 

S.  nemoralis.  Grayish-hoary-hairy;  panicle  one- 
sided. 

S.  radula.  Stem  and  leaves  very  rigid  and  rough, 
G.  Dry  lands. 

S.  rigida.  Rough  and  some  hoary,  stout,  leaf)7, 
heads  large.  A  fine  plant.  Dry  lands. 

S.  Ohioensis.  Smooth,  Blender,  leafy;  leaves  entire, 
sessile.  Moist  places. 

S.  Riddellii.  Leaves  long,  narrow,  recurved;  heads 
large.  A  beautiful  species  becoming  less  com- 
mon year  by  year.  Wet  lands. 

S.  lanceolata.  Rigid,  rough,  branching  leaves,  very 
narrow,  entire.  Damp  sandy  lands. 

S.     tenuifolia.     Smooth  leaves  narrower  than  lance- 
olata. 
BOLTONIA.     P.   Branching,  smooth,  pale  G.  herbs. 

B.  asteroides.  Stems  2  to  8  ft.  leaves  lanceolate. 
Along  streams.  B.  glastifolia  of  5th  Kd. 

B.  diffusa.  Branches  spreading;  leaves  lance- 
linear. 

ASTER.  Starworts,  Asters.  Mostly  perennials; 
flowering  in  autumn,  disc  yellow,  rays  W.  B.  P. 
Root  and  stem  leaves  often  differ  v\  idely. 

A.  corymbosus.  Slender;  leaves  thin,  ovaie,  cor- 
date with  slender  petioles.  W.,  Woods. 

A.     macrophyllus.   Petioled  margined;  leaves  thick. 

A.  oblongifolins.  Branched,  rigid;  leaves  lance- 
olate, mucronate,  some  clasping,  thickish,  a 
little  downy;  ra}7s.  V.  P. 

A.  Novae  Angliae,  Stout,  hairy,  3  to  8  ft.,  leaves 
entire,  clasping,  dark  G.  Rays  V.  P.,  Pi.,  P. 
W.  A  handsome  plant. 

A.  sericeus.  Slender;  leaves  silver-white,  lance- 
olate, small,  P. 

A.     azureus.     Stem  rough,  branches,  slender,  rigid 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAIvLE  COUNTY.  91 


leaves    on    long-,     hairy    petioles,     rough,     cor- 

date. B. 
A.     Shortii.     Slender,     spreading-    nearly    smooth; 

leaves  lanceolate,  acuminate;  petioles  naked.  B. 
A.     undulatus.     Pale  G.,   a  little   woolly;  petioles 

marg-ined  or  wing-ed.     B. 
A.     cordifolius.     Leaves  cordate  on  naked,  slender 

petioles.     B. 

A.     sag-ittifolius.     Petioles  marg-ined.   B. 
A.     turbinel  lius.     Leaves    tapering-    to    each    end; 

marg-ins  roug-h. 
A.    laevis.     Leaves     thickish,     clasping-,      smooth, 

sky  B. 
A.     ericoides.     Leaves  short,  narrow,  acute.   W.  or 

purplish.     Dry  places. 
A.     multiflorus.        Hoar}^,       soft-woolly,       flowers 

crowded.     W.  or  B.     Sandy  lands. 
A.     dumosus.     Smooth,       leaves      long-,       narrow, 

crowded,  entire. 
A,     diffusus.     A.     miser    of    5th    Ed.     Branching- 

woolly;  leaves  long-,   narrow,     pointed    at    both 

ends,  serrate  in  middle. 
A.     Tradescanti.     Leaves  very   long-   and   narrow, 

serrate  in  middle. 
A.     panicula  tus.     A.    simplex    of    5th    Ed.     Very 

branching-,  2  to  3  ft.,  forming-  a  panicle. 
A.     salicifolius.      A    carmens  of  5th     Ed.      Leaves 

shorter,  thicker,  and  less  serrate  than  in  panic- 

ulatus. 
A.     long-ifolius.  Leaves  very  long-,  3  to  7  in.  narrow, 

scarcely  serrate.      Low  places. 
A.      Novi  Belg-ii.     Leaves  narrow-lanceolate,   upper 

clasping-;  rays  B.  Vi. 
A.     puniceus.      Tall,  stout,  3  to  7    ft.;  leaves  roug-h 

above,  smooth  below.     Rays  lilac  color. 


92  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

A.     umbella  tus.     Smooth,  leafy  to  top,  1  to   7    ft;. 

leaves  long-,  acute  at    both   ends;  heads   in  flat 

corymbs. 
A.     linarifolius.     Several  stems  from  a  woody  root, 

leaves  about  1  in.   long-    narrow,     rough;    heads 

rather  larg-e,  rays  Vi.   6  to  15  in.     Sandy    lands 

and  among-  rocks.     A  handsome  plant. 
ERIGERON.     Fleabane.     Mare's     Tail.     More     or 

less  hairy  plants  with    W.   or    P.    disc.     Rays 

thread-like,  very  many.     M.  Aug\ 
E.     Canadensis.  Bristly-hairy,  erect;  leaves  narrow, 

lower  toothed,  flowers  small.   1  to  5  ft. 
E.     annuas.     Stout,  3  to  5  ft.    hairy;    lower   leaves 

ovate,  toothed  with    marg-ined    petioles,    upper 

entire. 
E.     strig-osus.     Smaller    and   less    branched     than 

annuus;  heads  smaller  with    long-er    rays.     Ju. 

Aug-. 
E.     bellidifolius.     Robin's  Plaintain.     Hairy;  heads 

few  1  to  9,  on  slender   peduncles;      rays    rather 

broad.   B.  P.     M. 
E.     Philadelphicus.     Common     Fleabane.     Leaves 

thin  with  a  broad  midrib,  oblong-;  heads  several 

small.     Ju.   Aug-. 
ANTENNARIA.     P.      Everlasting-.      White-woolly 

herbs;  leaves  narrow,  entire;  flowers  Y. 
A.     plantag-inifolia.     Plantain  Leaved  Everlasting-. 

Ladies'  Tobacco.     A    low   plant    spreading-   by 

runners  and  offsets,  stam.   and  pist-   flowers    on 

different  plants;    upper    surface    of    the    oval- 

spatulate,  petioled  root  leaves  when  old  are  G., 

lower  W.     6  to  15  in.;     M.   Poor  lands. 
GNAPHALIUM.     A.     Cudweed.     Balsam      Woolly 

herbs,  very  branching". 
G.     polycephalum.      Erect,     W.     fragrant;     scales 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  93 


shining',  dry;  florets  Y.    Pastures  and  woods. 
POLYMNIA.       P.      Leaf    Cup.       Tall      branching- 

sticky-hairy,  strong-  scented  herbs. 
P.     Canadensis.     Leaves  thin,  lower  pinnate  lobed, 
upper  triang-ular-ovate;  heads  small,  W.  Y.  2  to 
5  ft.     Woods,  becoming-  more  common. 
Jh.  P,  Uvoedalia.     Lower  leaves  palmately  lobed  on 

wing-ed  petiole,  outer  scales  larg-e  4  to  10  ft. 
SILPHIUM.     P.     Rosin  Weed.     Tall,  roug-h    resen- 
ous-juiced  plants  with  larg-e   heads   and  palish 
Y.,   flowers.     J.   Aug-.    Seeds  flat,  wing-ed. 
S.     laciniatum.   Compass  Plant.  Hairy  leaves  larg-e, 
pinnately  parted,  the  segments  lobed.  3  to  10  ft. 
S.     terebinthinaceum.     Prairie  Dock.   Leaves  large, 
cordate,  rough;  stem   slender,    smooth,    nearly 
.  leafless.     4  to  12  ft. 
S.     trifoliatum.     Stem  smooth;  leaves  in  whorls  of 

3  to  4  upper  opposite.     3  to  4  ft. 
S.     integrifolium.     Stem  rigid  4  ang-ular,  grooved; 

leaves,  opposite,  rigid. 

S.     perfoliatum.     Cup  Plant.     Leafy,  leaves  united 
at  base  so  as    to    form    a    cup,     larg-e,     ovate, 
coarse  toothed  . 
PARTHEN  IUM.     Heads  small,  woolly,  W.  Rays  5, 

very  small,  W. 

P.     integrifo  Hum.     Leaves    large   ovate,    crenate; 

lower  lobed;  dark  G.     Heads  in  small  corymbs. 

IVA.     A.     Marsh  Elder.     Heads  small  in  long-,  slen- 

der spikes. 

I.  xanthifolia.  Leaves  mostly  opposite,  hoary, 
roug-h,  broad-ovate,  toothed.  3  to  5  feet.  Otta- 
wa. Has  recently  appeared  here. 

AMBROSIA.     A.     Ragweed.     Horse  Weed.    Coarse 
weeds. 


94  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

A.  trifida.  Tall,  rough,  grooved;  leaves  3  to  7 
lobed.  3  to  15  ft. 

A.  artemisiae  folia.  Hog- weed,  Rag- weed.  Leaves 
thin,  cut  into  narrow  lobes;  stain,  flowers  Y. 
in.  long1,  slender  spikes.  1  to  5  ft. 

A.     psilostachya.     Leaves     acute,     lobed,      roug-h, 

hoary.     1  to  3  ft..     Ottawa. 

XANTHIUM.     A.     Cockle  Bur.     Clot   Bur.     Ohio 
Burdock. 

X.     strumarium.     A  great  nuisance. 
HELIOP  SIS.     P.     Oxeye.     Erect,  smooth,    branch- 
ing1 plants. 

H.  levis.  Leaves  opposite,  petiolate,  ovate- 
lanceolate,  serrate,  smooth;  flowrers  solitary.  Y. 

1  to  4  ft.     Aug-. 

H.     Scabra.     roug-hish;  rays  oblong-. 
ECHINACEAE.     Cone  Flowers.    Tall,  roug-h, "stem 

almost  leafless. 

E.     purpurea.     Leaves    long-    and    narrow;     heads 
large,  solitary,   with    long-,    purplish,    drooping- 
rays. 
RUDIBECKIA.     Heads  with  brown  conical  discs  and 

land,  Or.  Y.   rays. 
R.     triboda.     B.     Very  branching-,    hairy,   slender, 

2  to  5  ft.;  leaves  lobed  or  toothed;  heads  small. 
R.     subtomeltsa.  Downy;  leaves  lanceolate,  serrate. 

3  to  4  ft. 

R.  hirta.  B.  Very  roug-h-hairy;  leaves  entire; 
rays  1  in.  long-. 

R.     specisca.      Roug-hish,      hairy,      with      upright 

branches. 

LEPACHYS.     P.   Tall,  slender;  rays  pale  Y.  droop- 
ing-, disc  gray;  3  to  6  ft. 

L.  pinnata.  Hoary-hairy;  leaves  of  3  to  7  lance- 
olate, acute  leaflets. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  95 


HELIANTHUS.      Sunflowers.    Tall,  stout  plants. 
H.     annu  us.     Common  Sunflower  of  gardens. 
H.     rigidus.     Rough,  leaves  thick,  rigid. 
H.     lactiflorus.     Leaves  thinner  than  in  rigigus. 
H.     occidentalis.     Hairy,  slender;  heads  1    to   5   on 

long  peduncles. 
H.     mollis.     Leaves  opposite,  sessile,  some  serrate 

leafy  to  top. 
A.     tomentossus.     Stout,  4  to   8   ft.;  leaves    oval, 

clasping. 
H.     grosse  serratus.     Smooth  6  to  12    ft.     Leaves 

long  narrow,  acute,  sessate. 
H.     giganteus.     Hairy,  rough,   3   to  1Q  ft.;  leaves 

scarcely  serrate. 
H.     doronicoides.     Roughish,    3    to    7    ft.;     leaves 

sessile,  ovate-oblong. 
H.     divaricatus.    Smooth;  leaves  opposite  spreading 

sessile,  serrate,  thickish 
H.      strumosus.     Smooth  below;  leaves  long-ovate, 

acute,  rough  above,  whitish  below.    3  to  6  ft. 
H.     decapet  alus.      Leaves    ovate,    acute;      petioles 

margined;  rays  about  10.   2  to  5  ft. 
H.     tuberosus.     Leaves    ovate,    acuminate,    rough 

above;  eometimes    cultivated   for    its    tuberous 

roots. 
W.  H.   angustifolius.    Rough,  2  to  6  ft.;  leaves  linear, 

sessile. 
ACTINOMERIS.     P.     Leaves    serrate   tapering   to 

base  and  running  down  the  stem. 
A.     squarrosa.     Hairy,   winged,    4  to  8  ft.;  leaves 

alternate  or  opposite;  rays  Y. 
COREOPSIS.     Leaves    opposite,    rays     Y.     or     Y. 

blotched  with  P.,  rarely  wholly  P. 
C.     lanceolafa.     Branched  at  base,    smooth;   leaves 

entire,  thick,  heads  large  and  showy;  rays  lobed. 


96  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

Jh.  C.   lanceolata  var.   augustifolia.     Leaves  narrow, 

crowded. 
C.     palnata.     Nearly  smooth;   10   10    15  in.,   leafy; 

leaves  3  lobed,  rigid. 
C.     tripteris.     P.     Tall,  Gareopsis.     Smooth,  4  to 

9  ft.;  leaves  palmately  3  to  5  lobed. 
C.     trichosperma.     Smooth;  leaves  pinnate,  3  to   7 

leaflets,  serrate.     Wet  lands. 

C.  aurrea.     Nearly  smooth,  1  to  3  ft.;    leaves  3  to 
7  leaflets,  or  undivided,  serrate  or  lobed.     Wet 
lands.    .; ; 

BI  DENS.     Bur  Marigold.    Achenes  or  seeds  flat  and 

crowned    with    two  or  more    barbed    awns    by 

which  they  stick  to  clothing. 
B.     frondasa,     Common      Beggar      Ticks,      Stick 

tight.     Cuckle.      Awns  2. 
B.     connata.     Swamp  Beggar    Ticks.     Seeds   look 

shriveled,  awns  4. 
B.     cornua.  Smaller  Bur  Marigold.  Heads  nodding, 

rayed  or  not  awns  4,  barbed  downward;  5  to  30 

in.     Along  streams. 
B.     chrysanthemoides.     Rays  golden,    1    in.     long; 

swamps. 
HELENIUM.     Smeeze-weed.    Branching  from  base, 

very  leafy,  leaves  decarred,  alternate,  1  to  3  ft: 
H.     autumna  le.     Almost    smooth;    leaves    toothed; 

rays  3  to  5  cleft.     Damp,  rich  lands. 
DYSODIA.     A.     Plants   with    finely   divided    leaves 

and  a  strong  odor. 

D.  chrysanthemoides.     Dog  Fennel.     I/eaves  with 
thread-like  lobes,  opposite;  rays  few,  short;  6  to 
18  in.  Waste  places. 

ANTHEMIS.     Branching  with  finely  divided  leaves; 

strong  scented. 
A.     cot.     Mayweed.    Branching  from  ground;  slen- 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.  97 

der  rays  W.  disc  Y.   12  to  18  in.     Roadsides. 

ACHILLEA.     P.    Yarrow.   Heads  small  in  carymbs. 

W.  or  R. 

A.  millefolium.  Stems  grooved.  2  to  3ft.;  leaves 
mostly  radical,  cut  into  hair-like  divisions. 

TANACETUM.  P.  Tansy.  Very  bitter  and  strong- 
scented. 

T.  vulg-are.  Smooth,  1  to  3  ft.,  leaves  1  to  3  pin- 
nately  divided,  serrate;  head  almost  rayless,  Y. 

T.  vulg-are.  var.  Crispum.  Leaves  crisped. 
Escaped  from  yards. 

ARTEMISIA.     P.     Bitter  and  aromatic  herbs. 

A.  dracunculoides.  Slightly  hoary;  leaves  linear, 
entire  or  3  cleft;  heads  small,  many;  2  to  5  ft. 

A.  ludoviciana.  White-woolly;  upper  leaves  en- 
tire, lower  cut  and  lobed;  heads  sessile.  Vari- 
able, 1  to  5  ft. 

A.  biennis.  Leaves  more  or  less  divided;  lobes 
linear,  acute;  heads  in  spikes  forming'  a  leafy 
panicle.  1  to  3  ft. 

A.  absin  thum.  A  bitter,  silky-hoary,  shrubby 
plant  of  the  g-arden. 

SENECIO.     P.    Groundsel.  Leaves  alternate;  heads 

solitary. 
S.     aureus.     Golden    Rag-wort.      Squaw-weed. 

Leaves    cordate,    crenate;  lyrate  or    lanceolate 

.     lobe.d;  small;  heads  small    on    long-    peduncles, 

forming-  a  corymb;  X  in-  broad,  Y.   8  to  20.   in. 

CACALIA.     P.     Smooth;     stems     tall,    2   to    5   ft., 

leaves  alternate. 
C.     atriplicifolius.     Stems  round;  leaves  rhomboid, 

angled;  heads  W.,  rayless. 
C.     tuberosa.     Stem  angled  and  grooved,  2  to  6  ft. 


98  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

ARCTIUM.     B.     Burdock.     Heads     covered      with 

hooked  bristles. 
A.     lap  pa.     Leaves  large,  ovate,  woolly,    clamnw  ; 

1  to  4  ft. 

CNICUS.  B.  Thistle.  Plants  armed  with  sharp 
prickles. 

C.  altissimus.  Downy,  3  to  10  ft.,  leaves  toothed, 
W.,  woolly. 

C.  altissimus.  var.  discolor.  Leaves  lobed;  2  to 
6ft. 

C.  muticus.  Tall,  3  to  8  ft;  leaves  W. -hairy  be- 
neath, lobed. 

C.  pumilus.  Short,  stout,  1  to  2  ft.,  hairy,  bear- 
in";  1  to  3  large  heads;  fragrant,  a  very  pretty 
thistle. 

C.     arvensic.     P.     Canada   Thistle.     Slender,  1  to 

2  ft.   leaves  bright    G.   nearly  smooth;  smallish 
with  wavy,  prickly  margins;  heads  small,  P.   A 
bad  weed. 

KRIGIA.     A.     Dwarf    Dandelion.     Branched      from 

base. 
K.     Virginica.  Small,  leaves  mostly  radical,    scapes 

branching;  flowers  Or. /one-fifth  in.  broad;  1  to 

6  in. 
K.     amplexicaul  is,     M.     Radical    leaves     winged- 

petiolate;  of  stem  clasping,  1  to  3  smooth;  heads 

Y.  1  in.,  broad,  1  to  2 'ft.   J.    Woods  and  fields. 
HIERACIUM.     R.     Hawkweed.     Hairy  often  clam- 
my leaves. 
H.     Canaden  se.     Leaves  sessile;  lanceolate,  acute, 

remotely  and  coarsely  toothed;  flowers  Y.  1  to  3 

ft.  Dry  places. 
H.     longipilum.     Hairy,   leafy  below,  naked  above. 

Peduncles  glandular  bristly.     2  to  3  ft. 
PRENANTHES.     P.     Rattle   Snake  Root.     Stems 

leafy,  flowers  G.  W.  or  Y.,  P.    tinged.      Naba- 

lusof  old  Ed. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY.  99 

P.  crepidinea.  Stout,  5  to  9  ft.,  leaves  broad- 
triangular-ovate,  strongly  toothed,  petiolate 
nodding-.  Woods. 

P.  aspera.  asper  5th  Ed.  Rough,  downy;  leaves 
lanceolate,  toothed;  2  to  4  ft.  Dry  places. 

P.  alba,  albus  of  5th  Ed.  White  lettuce.  Smooth, 
pale  G. ;  leaves  angular,  toothed  upper  oblong 
entire.  Rocky  places  and  woods. 

TROXIMON.     P.     Leaves  long,  narrow,  acute,  rad- 
ical. 

T.     cuspidatum.     Scape  1  ft.,  head  large,    Y.    Ap. 

M.     On  old  fair  ground  near  river. 
TARAX  ACUM.     P.     Common  Dandelion. 

T.     offcina  le.     Dens  leonis  of  5th  EM. 
LACTUCA.     A.     Lettuce.   Stems  leafy,  juice  milky; 
heads  panicled. 

L.  scariola.  Stem  and  midrib  of  leaves  prickly; 
1  to  5  ft.  Everywhere. 

L.  Canadensis.  Tall,  4  to  9  ft.,  leaves  lobed  or 
not.  Flowers  Y.  Hedges. 

L.  integrifolia.  Leaves  lanceolate,  acute,  toothed 
or  entire. 

L.     Florida  na.  Leaves  lobed  or  toothed  upper  often 

clasping,  flowers  B.     3  to  7  ft.     Hedges. 
SON  CHITS.     Sow    Thistle.     Stems    leafy,    smooth, 
light  G. 

S.  olera  ceus.  Leaves  clasping  and  slightly  toothed 
with  soft,  spiny  teeth;  flowers  pale  Y. 

S.     asper.     Leaves  divided,  more  spiny. 

Order  54.     LOBELIA  CEAE.     Lobelias. 

juice  acrid,  milky;  corrolla  irregular    5    lobed; 
stamens  5  free  from  corolla. 

LOBELIA.     Corolla  split  on  one  side  somewhat  two- 
lipped;  flowers  axillary,  stems  leafy. 

L.     cardinalis.     Cardinal  Flower.     Leaves  oblong; 


100          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

flowers  scarlet  1  to  3  ft.  Seen  in  S.  E.  part  of 
Fall  River  Tp.  1877,  and  in  Deer  Park  Tp.  on 
Vermillion  1897.  A  splendid  flower. 

L.  syphilitica.  P.  Blue  Lobelia.  Great  Lobelia. 
Very  leafy,  hairy,  flowers  B.,  Vi.  B.  pale  B.  1 
to  2l/2  ft.  Aug-.  Sept..  Wet  places. 

L.  leptos  tachys.  Stem  weak,  leaves  small;  flowers 
small  scattered  in  a  long-  spike;  B,  10  to  30  in. 
Ju.  J.  Meadows. 

Jh.  L.  spicata.  stem  slender,  1  to  4  fi.;  leaves,  lower 
obovate,  upper  linear;  flowers  B.  in  a  long-  spike. 
Gravelly  or  sandy  soils. 

Jh.  L.  Kalmii.  Stem  somewhat  angled,  1  to  2  ft., 
erect;  leaves  linear. 

L.      inflata.     ?     Lobelia.     Indian     Tobacco.      Very 
branching-  hairy;  leaves  ovate,   toothed;  flowers 
small,  pale  B.     1  to  2  ft.   Dry  knolls,   A  power  - 
.      ful  emetic,  not  to  be  trifled  with. 

Order  57.     CAMPANULA  CEAE.      Campanulas. 
Juice  milky;  leaves  alternate;  flowers  scattered, 
corolla  5  lobed;  stamens  5,  pistil  one;  styles  2. 
SPECULA  RIA.     Venus    Looking-   Glass.      Flowers 
axillary,  P. 

S.     perfolia  ta.     Stem  erect,  grooved,   hairy;  leaves 
roundish-cordate,  clasping-  stem;  stiff;  6  to  15 in. 
Poor  dry  places. 
CAMPAN  ULA.     Flowers  terminal  or  axillary. 

C.  P.  rotundifolia.  Harebell.  Very  slender;  root 
leaves  round-cordate,  crenate.  petiolate,  dark 
G.;  of  the  stem  long-  and  narrow,  flowers  broad 
bell-shaped;  Vi.  B.  1  in.  broad;  10  to  18  in, 
Ju.  Aug-.  Bluffs  and  in  clefts  of  rocks.  The 
root  leaves  often  wither  away  before  the  plant 
flowers;  but  they  are  often  present. 

C.     aparinoides.       Weak,     3    ang-led,    roug-h,     few 


BOTANY  OP  LA  SAIvLE  COUNTY.  101 


flowered,  flowers  small,  W.  Wet,  grassy  places. 

C.  America  na.     A.     Tall  2  to  6  ft.  ;  leaves  lance- 
olate, acuminate,  serrate;  flowers  wheel  shaped, 
light  B.  1  in.  broad,  in  a  long  spike.     J.  Woods 
and  along-  streams. 

Order  58.     ERICA  CEAE.     Heaths. 
GAYLUSSACIA.     Huckleberry.     Low,     branching- 

shrubs. 

G.     resino  sa.     Black  Huckleberry.     Bluffs. 
VAC  CIN  UM.     Blueberry.     Billberry. 

V.     vacil  lans.     Low  Blueberry.    Bluffs. 
PYROLA.    P.   Shin  leaf.   Low  plants,  leaVes  radical, 
P.     Elliptica.     Leaves  elliptical  dull  thin;    petiole 
margined.     Scape  many  flowered;  flowers   in   a 
'raceme,  G.    W.     6    to    12    in.     Woods^  W.    of 
Starved  Rock. 

MONOTROPA.     Indian  Pipe.     Whole  plant    white. 
M.   Uniflora.   Smooth,  waxy,  W.   1  flowered.   Turns 
Bl  .   in  drying1,  flowers  nodding1.  3  to  8  in.   Dark 
Woods. 

Order  61.     PRIMULA  CEAE-     Primroses. 
DODECATHEON.     P.     Leaves  radical,  oblong-. 

D.  Meadia.     American  Cowslip.     Mead's    Violet. 
Shooting-    Star.     Smooth;    scape    naked     with 
bracts  at  top  and  an  umbel  of  W.  or  Rs.  flowers. 
18  to  20  in.     M.  Ju.  Hig-h  banks  of  the  111.  and 
Prairies. 

ANDROS  ACE.     A.     Root  leaves  clustered;  flowers 

small. 
A.     occidenta  lis.     Scapes  spreading-,    2  to  4    inch. 

Many  flowered.     Sandy  places. 
STEIRONE  MA.     P.   Leafy,  smooth  except  petioles, 

leaves  opposite,  flowers  Y. 

S.     cilia  turn.     Erect,  2  to  4  ft.,   leaves    long--ovate, 
acute.      Lysimachia  ciliata  5th  Ed.   Wet  places. 


102          BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 

S.     longifolium.     Erect,  4  angled,    slender.   1  to   3 
ft.     Leaves  linear  to  spatulate,  sessile,  margins 
revolute.     Ju.  Aug.     B\^  streams. 
LYSIMACHIA.     Loose    Strifes.     Leaves  glandular 
dotted. 

L.  quadrifolia.  Leaves  in  whorls  of  4's  or  5's, 
flowered,  on  long-  hair-like  peduncles;  ^  in. 
broad,  1  to  2  ft.  Ju.  Wet  lands. 

S.  stricta.  Leaves  numerous,  opposite,  lance- 
olate, acute,  at  each  end,  often  produces  bulbs 
in  the  axils. 

L.     numnfula  ria.     Moneywort.     Creeping,     leaves 
roundish,    small,  short  petioled.     Escaped  from 
•     gardens. 

ANGALLIS.     Pimpernel.     Spreading    or    prostrate 
plants. 

A.     arvensis.     Leaves    ovate,    sessile,    flowers    Sc. 

Ju.   Aug.     Sandy  lands. 
SAMOLUS,     Water  Pimpernel.     Brook- weed. 

S.  valeriandi.  Erect  with  obovate  leaves  and  small 
W.  flowers  in  racemes;  6  to  12  in.  Wet  places. 

Order  65,     OLEACEAE.     Olives.     Ashes. 
FRAXINUS.     T.   Ash.   Trees  with  petioled  pinnate 
leaves  of  3  to  15  leaflets.   Timber  light,  tough. 

F.  Americana.  White  Ash.  Leaves  of  7  to  9, 
ovate,  acute,  serrate  leaflets;  bark  gray,  fur- 
rowed, branches  smooth  flowers  Br.  Ap.  M. 

F.  sambucifolia.  •  Black  Ash.  Leaves  of  7  to  11 
leaflets.  Wet  woods. 

Order  66.     APOCYNA  CEAE.     Dogbanes. 

Juice  milky;  leaves  opposite  generally  and  entire. 
APOCYNUM.     Fruit  a  long,  slim  pod. 

A.  androsaemifolium.  Spreading-branched,  usually 
smooth;  branches  forking;  leaves  ovate,  short 
petiolate,  light  G.  Flowers  bell-shaped  one- 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          103 

fifth  in.  broad,  Pi.  Ju.  J.  Stem  often  red. 
Spreads  by  roots.  Often  called  Wandering- 
Milkweed.  Cult,  fields. 

A.  cannabinum.  Branches  upright,  flowers  G.  W. 
small.  In  woods  and  by  streams. 

Order  67.  ASCLEPIADA  CEAE.  Milkweeds. 
Si  Ik  weed. 

Juice  milky,  flowers  in  umbels;  fruit  a  pod. 
Seeds  with  a  cottony  plume. 

ASCLE  PIAS.  P.  Milkweed.  Leaves  large,  oppo- 
site, thick. 

A.  tuberosa.  Butterfly-weed.  Pleurisy  Root.  Erect, 
hairy,  leafy;  leaves  long,  lanceolate,  dark  G. 
flowers  Or.  Y.  R.  in  large  umbels.  Jn.  Prairies. 
A  beautiful  plant.  Juice  not  milky. 

A.  purpurascens.  P.  Milkweed.  Leaves  elliptical, 
downy  below,  petiole  short;  flowers  P.  1  to  3  ft. 
Prairies. 

A.      incarnata.     Smooth;  juice  scarcely  milky;  very 
leafy;    leaves  oblong-lanceolate,    acute;  flowers 
Rs.  P.   2  to  3  ft.  Swamps. 

A.  cornuti.  Common  Milkweed.  Leaves  oval- 
oblong,  4  to  8  in.  long,  soft-woolly,  palish  G., 
stiff;  flowers  in  larg-e  clusters,  dull  P.;  pods 
warty,  3  to  4  in.  long. 

Jh.  A.  Sullivantii.  Smooth,  tall;  leaves  ovate-oblong 
cordate,  nearly  sessile,  flowers  P.;  pod  smooth. 
Damp  lands. 

A.  obtusifolia.  Leaves  cordate,  clasping,  oblong, 
very  obtuse,  sessile;  flowers  in  1  umbel,  G.  P.; 
peduncle  long.  2  to  3  ft.  Sandy  lands. 

A.  Meadii.  Slender.  1  to  2  ft,;  leaves  oblong- 
ovate,  obtuse,  \l/2  to  2/4  in.  long; flowers  G.  W. 
in  a  solitary  umbel. 

A.      phytolaccoides.   Poke  milkweed.   Leaves  broad- 


104          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

ovate,  narrowed  to  both  ends,  short-petioled; 
flowers  rather  large,  15  to  20  in  an  umbel,  G. 
Pi.;  3  to  5  ft.  Moist  thickets. 

H.  varieg-ata.  Leaves  4  to  5  pairs,  ovate  to  obo- 
vate,  short-petioled;  umbels  very  compact;  flow- 
ers nearly  W.  1  to  2  ft.  Dry  Woods. 

Y.     verticilla  ta.     H/eaves  thread-like,  3    to   6   in  a 

whorl.     Flowers  G.  W.     Dry  places. 
ACERATES.     Green  Milkweed.     Flower*,   G.    W. 
Umbels  compact. 

A.  viridiflora.  Stems  several,  1  to  2  ft.;  leaves 
oval  to  linear,  thick;  umbels  nearly  sessile. 
Sandy  lands. 

Order  69.'    GETIANA  CEAE.     Gentians. 
GENTIANA.     Gentian.     Calyx  4  to  5  cleft;  corolla 
4  to  5  lobed  with  folds  between  lobes,  B.  or  W. 

D.  crinita.  Smooth,  1  to  1^  ft.,  leaves  lanceolate, 
more  or  less  cordate,  P.  G.  or  Br.  G.;  flowers 
larg-e  2  in.  long-.  Vi.  B.  to  B.  Damp  places. 
Not  common. 

G.  quinqueflora.  Slender,  branching-,  1  to  2  ft; 
leaves  somewhat  clasping-,  lanceolate,  3  to  7 
veined;  flowers  pale  B. ;  lobes  of  corolla  bristle 
pointed. 

G.  puberula.  Stems  usually  1,  erect,  8  to  16  in.; 
leaves  rig-id,  narrow-lanceolate;  flowers  clus- 
tered, brig-ht  B.  One  of  the  last  flowers  of 
autumn.  Scarce. 

G.  Andrewsii.  Closed  Gentian.  Flowers  look 
like  buds  about  to  open.  B. 

G.     alba.     Flowers  crowded  into  a  sort  of  head,  W. 

or  cream  color.     Corolla  club  shaped. 
J'n.   MENYAN  THES.     P.     Buckbean.     Flowers  on 
a  naked  scape. 

M.     trifolia  ta.     Leaves  of  3  oval  leaflets. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          105 

Order.  70.     POLEMONIA  CEAE.     Phloxes. 
PHLOX.     P.     Leaves  opposite,  sessile,  entire. 

P.  panicula  ta.  Smooth,  stout,  2  to  4  ft.;  leaves 
long-lanceolate  acute,  upper  often  cordate;  flow- 
ers in  a  large,  pyramidal  panicle,  P.  to  W. 
Open  woods. 

P.  maculata.  Wild  Sweet-William.  Spotted  with 
P.,  slender,  1  to  2  ft.;  flowers  P.  panicle  narrow. 
Woods  and  along-  streams. 

P.  glaberrima.  Slender,  1  to  3  ft.,  leaves  narrow, 
long,  acute,  smooth  except  margins;  flowers  in 
a  loose  corymb. 

P.  pilosa.  Slender,  1  to  \%  ft.,  hairy;  flowers 
Pi.,  P.,  Rs.  R  or  W.  Corolla  lobes  obovate, 
entire.  Woods. 

Jh.  P.  anoena.  P.  procumbens  5th  Ed.  Leaves 
broad  or  narrow-lanceolate,  short  pointed, 
acute,  on  young  shoots  often  ovate;  1  to  \%  ft. 

P.  reptans.  Has  runners  with  thick,  broad- 
obovate,  smooth  leaves. 

P.  divarica  ta.  Spreading  from  a  decumbent  base, 
corolla  pale  lilac  or  bluish;  lobes  obcordate, 
notched  at  end.  Woods. 

P.  bifida.  A  little  woolly,  branched;  leaves  linear, 
whitish;  corolla.  P.  W.,  lobes  2  cleft.  Sandy 
places.  S.  Ottawa  W.  of  old  slaughterhouse. 
Also  near  bluff  S.  E.  U.  S.  Silica  Co.'s  works. 

P.     subulata.     Moss  Pink.   Reclining;  leaves  linear; 
flowers  Pi.  P.,  or  Rs.  with  a  darker   center  or 
W.;  lobes  notched.     Dry  rocky  hills. 
POLEMONIUM.     Greek    Valerian.     Corolla,    bell- 
shaped.     B.  or  W. 

P.  reptans.  Smooth,  spreading,  leaves  alternate, 
pinnate  of  5  to  15  oblong  leaflets;  flowers  in 
corymbs;  10  to  15  in.  Never  creeps. 


106          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

Order  71.  HYDROPHYLLACEAE.  Watershields. 
HYDROPHYL  LUM.      P.      Leaves     long-petioled, 
angled  or  lobed;    Ju.  to  Aug.     Woods. 

H.  macrophyllum.  Rough-hairy;  leaves  pinnately 
9  to  15  lobed;  lobes  toothed;  flowers  in  a  globu- 
lar cluster;  calyx  very  hairy,  pale  P. 

H.  Virgiiiicum.  Leaf  lobes  5  to  7  peduncles  longer 
than  petioles,  1  to  2  ft.  Ju. 

H.  Canadense.  Smooth;  leaves  palmately  5  to  7 
lobed;  flowers  nearly  W.  on  short  pedicels. 

H.  appendicula  turn.  Lowest  leaves  pinnately 
lobed,  of  the  stem  palmately  5  lobed;  flowers  in 
loose  clusters. 

ELLISIA.     A.     Leaves  lobed,  lower  opposite;  flow- 
ers whitish. 

B.  Nyctelea.  Hairy;  leaves  7  to  13  lobed;  peduncles 

in  the  forks  or  opposite  the  leaves,  1   flowered. 
Calyx  enlarges  in  fruit.     6  to  12  in.  Woods. 
Order  72,     BORRAGINA  CEA.     Borages. 

Roug'h,  hairy  plants;  leaves  alternate,  entire; 
calyx  5  parted;  corolla  5  lobed;  fruit  4  seed-like 
nutlets. 

CYNOGLOSSUM.     B.  Lower  leaves  petioled;  fruit 
a  bur-like  nut. 

C.  officinale.     Common  Hound's  Tongue.     Upper 
leaves  sessile;  flowers  R.   P.    small,    many   in  a 
spike-like  panicle. 

ECHINOSPER  MUM.  Stickseed.  Beggarticks.  Beg- 
gar-lice. 

R.     Virginicum.     Branched,    leaves   of    stem    long- 
lanceolate,  tapering  to  both  ends,  fruit  a  small, 
bur-like  seed;  flowers  very  small,  B.   Woods. 
MERTENSIA.     Lungwart.    smooth,     leaves    large, 

light  G. 

M.  Virginica.  P.  Virginia  Cowslip.  Bluebells. 
Leaves  obovate  veiny,  of  the  root  long-petioled; 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY.  107 

flowers  trumpet  shaped  P.  B.  to  W.,  Pi.  at  first. 
Along-  streams. 
MYOSOTIS.     Forget-me-not.     Mouse-ear.     Low,  4 

to  12  in.,  branched  from  base;  flowers  W. 
M.     verna.     Whitish,  leaves  oblong-,  obtuse;  M.  J. 
IvITHOSPER  MUM.   Root  thick,  red;  leaves  narrow, 

sessile;  flowers  Y.,  fruit  4  W.   nutlets. 
L.     officmale.     P.     Branched;    leaves  broad-lance- 
olate, acute,  thinish;  flowers  pale  yellow,  small, 

2  to  3  ft. 

Iv.     hir  turn.     Flowers  deep  Or.,  larger. 

L.     Canescens,     Pucoon.     More  or  less  hoary,  6  to 

15  in.;  leaves  linear-oblong-;  flowers  sessile,  Or. 

M.    Meadows  and  woods. 
L.     ang-u«tifo  Hum.     longiflorum  of  5th  EM. 

Branched  from  base,  weak,  6  to   18   in. ;    leaves 

long-,  linear,  hoary;  tube  of  corolla  long-,   border 

wavy,  pale  Y.    Dry  soils. 
ONOSMOD1UM.     P.      False     Gromwell.      Bristly 

hairy  plants. 

0.  Virginian  um.     Slender,  1  to  2  ft.,   leaves   nar- 
row, oblong-,  flowers  small,  G.  Y.  Hillsides. 

Jh.  O.   Carolinian  um.   Roug-her,  taller;  leaves  oblong-- 
lanceolate, acute.     By  streams. 

Order  73.  CONV ALVULA  CEAK.  Morning- 
glories.  Mostly  slender  vines  or  trailing-  plants; 
flowers  bell-shaped,  opening-  in  the  morning-  and 
withering-  before  close  of  day. 

IPOMEA.  Nil.  Hairy;  leaves  cordate,  3  lobed;  Cr.  W. 
In  fields. 

1.  purpurea.     Common  Morning-g-lory.     Sparing-ly 

in  fields. 
I.     pandurata.     Man  of  the  Earth.    Flowers  larg-e, 

3  in.  broad  W.  with  a  purple  center.   Rich  lands 
along-  streams. 


108          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 


CONVOL,  VULUS.  Bindweed.    Morning-glory  of  the 

farmer. 
C.     spithamaeus.     Erect,  downy,  6  to  15  in.  flowers 

W.     Dry  sandy  lands. 

C.     sepium.     W.  or  Pi.    Everywhere  in  cult,  lands. 
C.     arvensis.     Prostrate,  slender,  leaves  dark,  dull 

G.,  flowers  W    .1  in.  broad.  R.  Deer  Park  Tp. 
CUSCUTA     A.     Leafless  with  very  slender,  yellow- 

ish or  reddish  stems  attached  to  stems  of  other 

plants. 

C.     tenuiflora.     Coarse,  yellow.  Wet  places. 
C.     Gronovii.     Or.     Showy  and  handsome.     Damp 

places. 
C.     glomerata.     Flowers  W.  in  dense  clusters    like 

ropes  closely  -coiled   about    stems  of  wild  sun- 

flowers along  streams. 
Order  74.     SOLANA  CEAE.    Nightshades. 

Corolla  wheel-shaped;  stamens  5;    leaves  alter- 

nate pinnate  or  lobed. 
SOLANUM      dulcamara.      P.     Bittersweet.    Climb- 

ing; leaves  entire  to  hastate,  dark    G.;    flowers 

in  clusters,  B.  ;  berries  Sc. 
S.     nigrum.     A.     Nightshade.     Erect,  branching; 

leaves  thin,  ovate;  margins  wavy,    toothed,    fl. 

W.;  berries  Bl.     Fields. 
S.     Carolinense.     P.   Erect,  hairy,  prickly;  prickles 

stout,  Y.     C.  B.  &  Q.    track  N.  E.  of  Ottawa 

and  other  places. 
S.     rostra  turn.     A.     Very   prickly,    hoary;   leaves 

lobed;  fl.  Y.     Rock  Island  tracks,  Ottawa. 
PHYSALIS.  A.  Ground  Cherry.   Calyx  inflated  en- 

closing fruit. 
P.     Philadelphia.     Leaves   ovate,    oblong;  corolla 

Vi.   spotted    in    center;   berry    purplish    filling 

calyx. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,L,E  COUNTY.  109 

P.     angula  ta.     Corolla  not  spotted,  small. 

P.     pubes  cens.     Often  decumbent,  leaves  angular; 

corolla  spotted  with  Br.  P. 

IvYCIUM  vulgare.  Shrub  with  long-  recurved 
branches,  small,  light  G.,  oblong  leaves;  flow- 
ers in  axillary  clusters,  G.  P.;  berries  Or.  R. 
About  yards  and  old  places. 

DATURA.  A.  Jamestown-weed.  Thorn  Apple.  Stink- 
weed. 

D.  stramonium.  Smooth;  leaves  large,  serrate 
toothed;  corolla  W.;  stem  G. 

D.     Tatula.     Stem  P.     corolla  Vi.  P. 

D.  Petunia  nyctaginiflora.  The  well  known  petunia, 
escaped  from  gardens. 

Order  75.  SCROPHULARIA  CEAE.  Pig-worts. 
Stamens  2  or  4,  perfect,  rarely  5,  in  pairs;  fruit 
2  celled. 

VERBAS  CUM.    B.     Plowers  in  a  long  dense  spike. 
V.     thap  sus.     Very  woolly;  leaves  oblong,    acute; 

flowers  Y, 

UNA  RIA.     Toad  Flax.     Corolla  spurred  at  base. 
L.     Canadensis.    Smooth,  6  to  30;  in.  leaves  linear; 

flowers  P. 

Iv.     Cauadensis  alba.  PL   W.  Both  sandy  soils. 
Li.     vulgare.     Butter  and  eggs.     Stems  very  leafy; 

flowers  large,  Y.  or  Or.     Old  yards. 
Scrophularia  noda  sa.    Smooth,   4-sided;  leaves  ovate, 
acuminate;  flowers  small,  scattered,    G.    P.;    3 
to  5  ft. 

Jh.   COLLIN    SIA    Verna.     Slender,    6    to    20   in., 
leaves  ovate,  to  long-ovate,  cordate,  sessile   and 
clasping;  fl.  B.  and  W.  in  whorls  of  about  6. 
CHELO  NE.   Turtlehead.  Snakehead.  Erect,  branch- 
ing, smooth. 


110          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

C,     glabra.     Leaves      narrow-lanceolate,     serrate, 
dark  G.;  fl.  large  W.,  clustered.     15    to   36    in. 
Wet  lands. 
C.     glabrarubra.  Flowers  R.,  P.  in  a  close  cluster. 

Deer  Park. 

PENTSTE  MON.     Corolla  tubular,  inflated  or  bell- 
shaped.     Leaves  opposite,  upper  clasping. 
P.     pubes  cens.     viscid     pubescent    more    or    less, 

leaves  ovate  to  oblong-;  fl.  dull  Vi.  or  P. 
P.     laevigatus.     Nearly  smooth,  leaves  glossy;  cor- 
olla much  inflated. 

P.     laevigatus.  Digitalis.  Corolla  more  inflated,  W. 
MIMMULUS.     P.    Monkey  flower.   Leaves  opposite; 

flowers  solitary. 
M.     ring1  ens.  Stem  square,  1  to  2  ft.  leaves  oblong-, 

acute,  serrate,  clasping-;  fl.  Vi.  P.  Showy. 
CONNO  BEA    multifida     A.     Spreading     branched; 

fl.  pinnately  lobed;  fl.  G.  W.   Along-  streams. 
HERPES  TIS      rotun  difolia.      Smooth,      creeping-; 

leaves  roundish;  fl.   W.  or  pale  B. 
GRATI  OLA    Virginia  na.     Stem     clammy,     leaves 

lanceolate,  toothed;  fl.  W.  with  Y.  Tube. 
G.     sphaerocar  pa.     Smooth;  leaves  oblong-;  5  to  10 

inches. 

ILLYSAN  THUS  ripa  ria.  Much  branched,  spread- 
ing, leafy;  smooth;  leaves  ovate,  toothed  or  en- 
tire, fls.  axillary. 

VERON  ICA.   Leaves  opposite  or  whorled,  fls.  small. 

V.     Virginica.    P.   Culver's  Physic.   Stem  straight, 

2    to   5   ft.,   leaves  whorled  4  to  7,     lanceolate 

acute,   fls.  small,  W.  in  long  slender  spikes.    J. 

Aug.     Woods. 

V.  anagallis.  P.  Smooth,  creeping  and  rooting 
at  base,  then  erect;  fls.  W.,  P.  striped.  Brooks 
and  ditches. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,LE  COUNTY..  Ill 

V.  (    peregri  na.     A.     Erect,  4  to  9  in.,  oval-oblong-, 

thick,  lower  pelioled,  fls.  W. 
V.     arvensis.  Hairy,  3  to  8  in.,  leaves  ovate,  crenate 

to  lanceolate,  entire. 

V.     agres  tis.     Leaves  round  or  ovate,  crenate. 
SEYME  RIA     Macro  phylla.       Mullein     Fox-glove. 
Leaves     pinnately     parted     to     entire,     lance- 
olate; fls.  larg-e  1^  in.  broad,    tube   curved    Y., 
2  to  3  ft. 
GERARDIA.     Corolla  bell-shaped,    P.   or    Y.,    late 

blooming1. 

Jh.   G.  grandiflora.  Leaves  more  or  less  lobed;  fls.  Y. 
G.     laevig-a  ta.     Leaves  lanceolate,  entire  or   lower 

toothed,  Y.     integrifolia  of  5th  Ed. 
Jh.  G.  auriculata.     Hairy  leaver  except  lowest  lobed 

at  base.   P. 
G.     purpurea.     Branches   spreading-,   rig-id,    leaves 

linear,  P. 
G.     tenuifo  lia.     Leaves  narrow-linear,    acute,    fls. 

P.,  YZ  in.  long-.     Wet  lands. 

CASTIL  LEIA  Cocci  nea.  Painted  cup.  Erect, 
hairy;  leaves  of  root  entire,  of  stem  deeply 
toothed,  floral  -bracts  3  to  5  lobed,  scarlet 
toward  ends,  flowers  pale  Y.  Looks  like  a  larg-e 
head  of  scarlet  flowers.,  5  to  15  in.  Sandy 
Woods. 
C.  sessiliflora  P.  Grayish  floral  leaves,  not 

colored.     Near   La  Salle. 
PEDICULARIS.       Lousewort.       Leaves      pinnately 

divided,  the  floral  bract-like. 

P.      Canadensis.     Flowers  in  a  short,    thick  spike, 
G.,  Y.  and  P.     5  to  12  in.,  M.  J.     Damp  lands. 
P.     lanceolata.     Fls.  pale  Y.   1  to  3  ft. 
Order  76.     OROBANCHA  CEAE.  Bromrapes. 

Thick    or    fleshy    herbs,   brown  or   yellow    and 
usually  parasitic. 


112          BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,LE  COUNTY. 

COOPOPHOLIS,  Americana.  Squaw-root.  Cancer 
Root.  Yellowish,  clustered;  fls.  in  spikes. 
Woods  R. 

APHYLLON  uniflorum.  Plant  W.;  fls.  P.  W. 
3  to  5  in.  Woods.  Not  common. 

Order  77.     LENTIBULA  CEAE.     Bladderworts. 
Water  plants  with  finely  divided  leaves  bearing- 
little  bladders  which  float  them  at  the    time   of 
flowering1,  corolla  2  lipped. 
UTRICULA  RIA.  vulg-aris.  Stems  2  to  3  ft.;  fls.  Y. 

Order  78.     BIGNONIACEAE.     Beg-nonias. 

Tecoma  radicans.     Trumpet-Creeper. 

Catalpa  speciosa.     Catalpa.     Indian  Bean. 

Order  80.     ACANTHA  CEAE.     Acanthuses. 

Ruellia  ciliosa.  P.  White-hair}',  1  to  3  ft.,  leaves 
oval,  sessile,  1  to  2  in.  long-;  fls.  1  to  3  in  an 
axil;  corolla  bell-shaped  with  a  long-,  slender 
tube,  \%  to  2  times  leng-th  of  slender  calyx, 
lobe's,  P.  \^/2  in.  broad;  Ju.  Sept.  Sandy  places. 

Dianthera.  Americana.  P.  Water  Willows.  Grow- 
ing-in  water;  1  to  3  ft.,  leaves  long-,  narrow, 
acute;  fls.  in  long-  spikes;  P.  W.  Canal,  Ottawa. 
Covell  Creek. 

Order  81.     VERBENA  CEAE.  Verbenas.   Vervains. 
VERBENA  Vervains.   Calyx  5  toothed;  corolla  short 
tubular  with  a  flat  border  unequally  5  cleft;  fls. 
in  spikes,  bracted;  leaves  opposite. 

V.  officinalis.  A.  Branched;  leaves  cleft,  sessile; 
fls.  P.  small  in  long-  slender  spikes.  1  to  3  ft. 
Common. 

V,  urticaefolia.  P.  Tall,  3  to  5  ft.,  slender; 
leaves  oblong'-ovate,  sharp-serrate,  veiny;  fls.  W. 
small  in  very  long-  spikes. 

V.    ang-ustifolia.   Leaves  narrow-lanceolate,  sessile, 
roug-hish,     fls.     P.     in    crowded    spikes.      Dry 
ground. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          113 

V.     hastata.     Blue  vervain.     Tall,  4  to  6  ft.  leaves 
1  lanceolate,  toothed;  fls.  P.  Roadsides. 

V.  stricta.  Hoary  vervain.  Whitish-hairy;  leaves 
obovate,  serrate,  sessile;  spikes  thick,  fls.  P.  to 
W.  Sandy  lands. 

V.  bracteo  sa.  Prostrate  hairy,  leaves  cut  and 
lobed.  Fls.  small,  P.  Sandy  places. 

Ivippia  lanceolata.  Frog-fruit.  Slender,  creeping- 
leaves  small,  oblanceolate,  deep  G.  serrate.  Fls. 
in  closely  bracted  heads,  bluish  W.,  X  in  broad. 
PHRYMA.  P.  Ivop-seed.  Erect,  branches  slender, 
leaves  ovate,  coarse-toothed.  Fls.  P.,  reflexed 
in  fruit. 

Q.  leptosta  chya.  Calyx  strongly  ribbed,  fls.  P. 
in  a  long-  slender  spike. 

Order  82.     LABIATAK.     Mints. 

Mostly  herbs,  stems  square,  leaves  opposite  and 
g-enerally  aromatic,  corolla  more  or  less  2  lipped, 
stamens  2  or  4  pairs,  seeds  4  at  bottom  of  calyx. 

Trichostema  dichotomum.     False  Pennyroyal. 

Isanthus  caeruleus.     Much  like  Pennyroyal. 

Teucrium  Canadense.     Damp  places.     Germander. 

Collinso  nia  Canadensis.     P.     Horse-balm.    Woods, 

MENTHA  viridis,     Spearment.     Wet  lands. 
M.     piper  ita.     Peppermint. 
M.     Canadensis.     Wildmint. 

LYCOPUS  Virg-inicus.     Bug-leweed.   Leaves  more  or 
less  lobed;  flowers  small,    white;    12    to   20    in. 
•  Wet  lands. 

L.    sessilifolius.     L.     Europeans  5th    Ed.      Water 

Horehound. 
Jh.  L.  rubellus. 
Jh.  L.  sinuatus. 


114          BOTANY  OP  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

PYCNANTHEMUM.  P.  Erect,  leafy,  leaves  narrow 

rigid,  dark  G.     flowers    in    dense  heads    %  in. 

broad,  W.     Have  a  mint-like  odor.    \l/2  to  2  ft.; 

Ju.  Aug.     Dry  grounds. 
P.     lanceola  turn.     Heads  downy. 
P.     linifo  lium.     Smoother,   leaves  narrower. 
P.     muticum.   Hoary,  much  branched. 
P.     muti  cnm  var.     pilosum.      Leaves  thinner. 
Calamintha  glabella.     P.     Fls.  P.;  1  to  2  ft. 
Melissa  officinalis.     Balm.     Lemon  Balm. 
Monarda  fistulosa.     Wild  Berg-amot.     Fls.    P.    Rs. 

R.,  larg-e. 

Jh.  M.     punctata.     Horse-mint.     Fls.  Y.  P.  spotted. 
Blephilia  hirsuta.     P.     Fls.  small,  B,  P. 
Lophan  thus  nepetoides.    Giant  Hyssop.   Fls.  G.  Y. 
Nepeta  cataria.     Catnip.     In  hedges  and  fences. 
N.     Glechoma.    Ground  Ivy.   Gill  over  the  ground. 
SCUTELLA  RIA.     P.     Skullcap.     Calyx    in     fruit 

closed  and  helmet-shaped;  in  flower  bell-shaped 

and  2  lipped.     Damp  woods  and  along"  streams. 
S.     laterifolia.     Mad-dog'.   Skullcap.    Smooth.   Wet 

places. 

Jh.  S.   versicolor.     Soft-hairy,  somewhat  sticky. 
S.     canescens.     Much  branched,  2  to  4  ft.      Woods. 
S.     pilosa.     Hairy,  1  to  3  ft.     Dry  places. 
S.     parvula.     Small,  3  to  6;    fls.   B.     Sandy  lands. 
Brunella  vulgaris.     Self  heal.     Fls.  Vi.  or  Fl. 
Physoste  gia     Virginiana.      P.     False     Dragon-head. 

Lady  in  the  Lake.  Erect,  tall,  2  to  4  ft.  smooth; 

leaves  lanceolate,  serrate'    thickish,    brig-bt    G. 

Fls.  in  long-  spikes  Pi.  P.  spotted    corolla    1   in. 

long-.     Wet  places.     A  beautiful  plant. 
P.     intermedia.     Slenderer,  leaves  narrower.     Dry 

lands. 
Marru  bium   vulgare.     Horehound.     Waste    places. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          115 

Leonu  rus  cardi  aca.     Motherwort.     Calyx  spiny. 
Stachys  aspera.     P.     Hedge-Nettle.  Fls.  P.  or  Rs. 
S.     glabra.     Smooth.     Aspera  is  rough. 
Order.  83.     PLANTAGINA  CEAE.    Plantains. 
Plantago.    Plantain.   Leaves  mostly  radical,  ribbed, 

petioled.     Flowers  in  a  long-  spike. 
P.     cordata.     A  larg-e  plant  by  streams. 
P.     major.     Common  Plantain.     Everywhere. 
Jh.    P.     lanceolata.     Hairy;     scape    grooved-angled. 

Common. 

P.     Virginica.  Small,  2  to  9  in.  white-hairy.  Sands. 
P.     pusilla.     Very  small,  1  to  4  in.,  soft-hairy. 
DIVISION    III.     APETA  LAE.     Corolla    wanting. 
Order  84.     NYCTAGINA  CEAE.    Four  O'clocks. 

Stems  with  swollen  joints,  leaves  opposite,    en- 
tire. 
Oxybaphus     nyctagin  eus.     Stem     thick,     forking; 

leaves  ovate,  acute,  thick;  early  flowers  have   a 

colored  calyx,  later  do  not. 
Order  85.     ILLECE  BRA  CEAE.  Knotweeds. 

L/eaves  opposite,  entire  with  scarious    stipules. 
Any  chia  capil  lacea.     Forked  Chickweed. 
Order  86.     AMARANTACEAE.     Amaranths. 

Flowers  in  more  or  less  rough  spikes,   short    or 

long,   G.,  R.  or  P.   Often  spiny.     Very  common. 
Amaran  tus  panicula  tus.     G.  R.   3  to  6  ft.     About 

gardens. 

A.     retroflex  us.     Pale  G.     Erect;  fls.  G. 
A.     chloro  stachys.     Greener  and  smoother. 
A.     hy  bridus.     Smooth.     Spikes  less  compact. 
A.     albus.     Tumble  weed.     PaleG.;  leaves  small. 
A,     blitoi  des.     Prostrate. 

A.     spinosus.     Much  branched,  stem  reddish. 
Jh.     A.     pumilus.     Prostrate;  leaves  fleshy. 

Acnid  a.      Much  like  amarantus  but  stam.  and    pist. 


116  BOTANY  OF  LA  SAIvL,E  COUNTY. 

flowers  are  on  separate  plants. 

A.  tubercula  ta.  Montelia  tamariscina,  Wood  and 
of  5th  Ed.  Tall;  2  to  6  ft.  Spikes  slender, 
long-.  G.  P.  About  Ottawa  N.  of  canal. 

Order87.  CHENOPODIA  CEAE.  Goosefoot  or 
Pig-weeds. 

Plants  more  or  less  succulent,  leaves  alternate 
and  often  white-scurfy,  without  stipules;  fls. 
very  small. 

Cyclolo  ma  platyphyl  lum.  A.  Very  branching-; 
leaves  W.  G.;  6  to 20  in.  W.  of  Glass  Works, 
Ottawa,  Twin  Bluffs,  River  Bank  near  U.  S. 
Silica  Works.  Came  here  since  1890. 

Chenopodium.  Leaves  ang-ular,  more  or  less  toothed. 

C.     boscian  um.     Slender;  leaves  oblong1;  2  ft. 

C.  album.  Lamb's  Quarters.  Leaves  rhombic- 
ovate  to  linear. 

C.     ur  bicum.     Leaves  triang-ular,  toothed,  pale  G. 

C.  hybridum.  Leaves  triang-ular,  cordate,  brig-ht 
G.,  thin. 

C.  g'lau  cum .  Spreading-,  mealy;  leaves  lobe- 
toothed. 

C.  Bonus  Henri  cus.  Decumbent;  leaves  triang-u- 
lar, pale  G. 

C.  Botrys.  Jerusalem  Oak.  Sticky;  leaves  sinnuate 
lobed. 

Atriplex  pat  ulum.    S.  side  hydraulic  basin,  E.  end. 

Sal  sola  kali  tra  g-us.  Russian  Thistle.  Ottawa 
about  g-lass  works  and  near  N.  end  of  111.  bridg-e. 

Order  88.     PHYTOLACCA  CEAE.      Pokeweed*. 

Phytolac  ca  dican  dra.     Poke,  Scoke  or  Garg-et. 

Order  89.     POLYGONA  CEAE.     Buckwheats. 

Stems  with  swollen  joints,  alternate,  entire 
leaves  with  stipules  sheathing-  the  stem — an 
ocreae—above  joints;  fruit  Br.  or  Bl.  3  or  4 
a  no-led. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAL,LE  COUNTY.          117 

Rum  ex.  P.  Dock.  Sorrel.  Tall,  leaves  large, 
usually  thick.,  fls.  G.,  in  a  larg-e  panicle.  Fruit 
3  angled. 

R.  Britan  nica.  Leaves  long-lanceolate,  1  ft.  or 
more;  4-  to  6  ft.  Wet  places. 

R.  altis  simus.  Pale  Dock.  Gayish  G.,  very 
smooth,  2  to  6  ft. 

R.  cris  pus.  Curled  Dock.  Leaves  narrow,  margins 
crisped. 

R.     obtusifo  lia.     Bitter  Dock,  leaves  broad. 

R.     sanguineus.     Veins  of  leaves  red. 

R.  acetosel  la.  Horse  Sorrel.  Sorrel,  small,  6  to 
12  in.,  fls.  red;  sour. 

Polyg  onum.  Knot  weed.  Smart  weed.  Leaves  lance- 
olate, acuminate. 

P.  avicula  re.  More  or  less  prostrate,  pale  G.; 
leaves  small,  fls.  W.,  stamens  8. 

P.  ramosis  simum.  Tall,  2  to  .5  ft.,  branching-; 
leaves  small,  scattered. 

P.     ten  ue.     Stem  angled,  1  to  \%   ft.     Dry   lands. 

P.     lapathifo  Hum.     A.      Stamens  6. 

P.     lapathifo  Hum  var,  incarnatum.     Leaves  large. 

P.  Pennsylvan  icum.  Stamens  8;  peduncles  glan- 
dular. Moist  places. 

P.     amphibium.     P.     Grows  in  water.   R. 

P.     orienta  le.     Princess  Feather.   P.   Gardens. 

P.     Persica  ria.     Leaves  with  a  dark  spot. 

P.     hydropiperoi  des.     Ditches  and  wet  grounds. 

P.     hydrop  iper.     Water  pepper.     Fls  G.   and   Rs. 

P.     arifolium.     Stem  prickly. 

P.     sagitta  turn.    Prostrate,  square,  rough, 

P.     convol  vulus.     Prostrate  or  climbing.     Fls.  W. 

P.     dumetorum.     Fruit  winged  at  angles. 

Fagopy  rum  esculen  turn.     Buckwheat. 

Podoste  mon  ceratophyl  lus.     River  weed.    In  river. 


118          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

Order  91.    ARISTOLOCHIA  CEAE,  Birthworts. 

As  arum  Canaden  se.     Wild  Ging-er.     Hillsides. 

Order  94.     Thymela  ceae. 

Dir  ca  palus  tris.  Moosewood.  L/eatherwood.  Woods. 

Order  97.     Santala  ceae.     Sandalwoods. 

Coman  dra  umbellata.     Fls,  in  umbels  G.  W.    6    to 
,10  m. 

Order  98.  EUPHORBIA  CEAE.  Euphorbias. 
Juice  milky;  leaves  generally  opposite  or  in 
whorls;  stamens  and  pistils  separate  on  different 
or  the  same  plant.  Fls.  in  a  cup-like  involucre 
in  umbels.  Seeds  3  to  6.  at  top  of  a  short  stem. 
EUPHOR  BIA  macula  ta.  Prostrate,  slender,  hairy. 

E.     humistrata.  Procumbent,  larger  than  maculata. 

E.      Preslii.     Branched,  spreading-,  1  to  2  ft. 

E.     marg-ina  ta.     Floral  leaves  white  edg-ed. 

E.     corolla  ta.     Involucre  white-fring-ed,  showy. 

E.     dentata.     Erect,  hairy,  1  to  \%  ft. 

E.     heterophyl  la.     Upper  leaves  red-edg-ed. 

E.     obtusa  ta.     A.    Rod  warty;  1    to   2   ft.    Damp 
woods. 

E.     Cyparis  sias.     L/eafy;     leaves     linear,    stiff.    6 
to  10  in. 

E.     commuta  ta.     Umbel  3  rayed;  6  to  12  in. 

Phyl  Ian  thus  Carolinen  sis.     A.     Low,  slender. 
Jh.  Croton  capita  tus.     Densely  soft-woolly. 

Cro  tonop  sis  linea  ris.     Silvery-hoary  above. 

Acaly  pha  Virgin  ica.     Three  seeded  mercury. 

Ricin  us  commu  nis.     Castor  Oil  plant. 

Order  99.     URTICA  CEAE.     Nettles. 
MUS   fulva.     Slippery  or  Red  Elm. 

U.     American  na.     White  Elm. 

Cel  tis  occidenta  lis.     Sugarberry.   Hackberry. 

Can  nabis  sativa.     Hemp.     Cult,  grounds. 

Hum  ulus  lup  ulus.     Hop. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          119 

Maclura  aurantia  ca.     Osage  Orange.  Bois  d'arc. 
MOR  US    rubra.     Leaves  large,  ovate,  serrate  rough 
above,  on  young  shoots  some  are  2  or    3    lobed, 
fruit  a  long,  black  berry. 

M.     alba.     Leaves  small,  smooth,   fruit  small,    W. 
URTI  CA.     gra  cilis.     Nettle.     Along  fences. 

U.     dioica.     Stinging  Nettle.    Very  bristly. 

Lapor  tea  Canadensis.     Wood  Nettle. 

Pilea  pumila.     Stems  shining,  clear. 
Jh.       Parieta  ria     Pennsylvan  ica.       Shaded,      rocky 
places. 

Order  100.     PLATANA  CEAEX     Plane  Trees. 

Plat  anus    occidental  is.     Sycamore.     Button  wood. 

Order  101.     JUGLANDA  CEAE.    Walnuts. 

Jug  lans   ciner  ea.     Butternut,  White  Walnut. 
.     J.     nig  ra.     Black  Walnut.     Along  streams. 

Car  ya    al  ba.      Shell-bark  or  Shag-bark  Hickory. 

C.     Sulca  ta.     Kingnut.     Not  common. 

C.     amara.     Bitternut,   Pignut. 

Order  103.     CUPULIF  ERAK.     Oaks. 

Bet  ula    papyrif  era.       White  Birch.     Common. 

Al  nus    serrula  ta.     Smooth  Alder. 

Cor  yluo    America  na.     Hazlenut.     Common. 

Os  trya  Virgin  ica.     Hop,  Hornbeam,  Ironwood. 

Carpi  nus  Carolinia  na.     Blue  or  Water  Beech. 
QUER  CUS  alba.     White  Oak. 

Q.      macrocar  pa.     Bur  Oak.   Mossy-cup  Oak. 

Q.     lyra  ta.     Over-cup  Oak,  Swamp  Post  Oak. 

Q.     bic  olor.     Swamp  W'hite  Oak.     Wet  places. 

Q.     pri  nus.     Chestnut  Oak.      Not  common. 

Q.     ru  bra.     R.     Oak  Acorn,  broad  and  short. 

Q.     coccin  ea.     Sc.  Oak.  Leaves  scarlet  after  frost. 

Q.     coccin  var.     tinctor  ia.     Black  oak. 

Q.     ni  gra.     Bl.     Jack.     Barren  Oak.   Sandy  lands. 

O.     imbrica  ria.     Laurel  or  Shingle  Oak.      Ra. 


120          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

Castan  ea  sati  va.     Chestnut.     In  plantations. 

Order  104.     SALIC  A  CEAE.     Willows. 
SA  LIX  ni  gra.    Black  Willow.  20  to  25  ft.   Streams. 

S.     frag-  ilis.     Twig-s  Y.  W.  or  Cr.  60  ft. 

S.     alba.      White  Willow.     50  to  80  ft. 

S.     Babylon  ica.     Weeping-  Willow.     50  ft. 

S.     long-ifo  lia.     A  shrub  along-  streams. 

S.     rostra  ta.     A  small  tree. 

S.     discolor.     Pussy  Willow.     Several  varieties.    4 
to  10  ft. 

S.     hu  milis.     Prairies,   3  to  8  ft. 

S.     petiola  ris.     Stems  red.     Shrub. 
POP  ULUS.     Poplar,  Aspen,  Cottonwood. 

P.     al  ba.     White  Pop.     Leaves  whitish. 

P.     tremuloi  des.     Quaking-  Asp,   Aspen 

P.     gradidenta  ta.     Leaves  round-toothed. 

P.     balsamif  era.     Aments  larg-e,  R. 

P.     balsamif  era  var.  con  dicans.     Balm  of   Gilead. 

P.      manilif  era.     Cotton  Wood. 

P.     dilata  ta.     Lombardy  Pop.     Old  places. 
Sub  Class  II.     GYMNOSPER  MAE.     Seeds  naked. 

Order  107.     CONIF  ERAE.     Pines,   Conifers. 

Pi  nus    stro  bus.     W^hite  Pine. 

P.     resinosa.     Red  Pine. 

P.     Austria  ca.     Austrian  Pine.     Plantations. 

Abies  balsa mea.   Balsam  Fir. Plantations.  Cones  P. 

La  rix    Americana.     Larch  Tamarak. 

L-     Europae  a.     European     Larch.     Both     species 
are  sometimes  planted. 

Thu  ya.   occidenta  lis.     Arborvitae,     White  Cedar. 

Junip  erus.     Virg-inia  na.     Red  Cedar.     Savin. 

Tax  us.     Canaden  sis.     American      Yew.     Ground 
Hemlock. 

The  last  three  are  found  along-  the  bluffs  of   the  111. 
especially  W.  of  Ottawa. 


BOTANY  OP  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          121 

CL ASS  II.     MONECO'TYLEDONOUS  or  ENDO- 
GENOUS PLANTS. 

Stems  with  no  distinction  of  wood  pith  and  bark; 
leaves  mostly  parallel  veined  and  sheathing1  at 
base,  generally  alternate.  Parts  of  the  flowers 
usually  in  3's.  Seeds  coming  up  with  a  single 
leaf  or  cotyledon. 

Order  108.  HYDROCHARIDA  CEAE.  Frog's 
Bits. 

Elode  a.  Canaden  sis.  Waterweed.  Anacha  ris 
Canadensis  of  5th  Ed.  Slow  streams  and  ponds. 

Vallisne  ria  spiralis.     Tape  grass,  Eel-Grass. 

Order  110.     ORCHIDA  CEAE.     Orchids. 

Flowers  perfect,  irregular  and  often  of   strange 
and  striking  forms.     Roots  often  tuberous. 
LIP  ARIS.     Truagblade.     Leaves  2;  flowers  several, 
G.  P.  on  a  scape.     Moist  lands. 

L.     liliifo  lia.     Leaves  ovate;  fls.  Br.  P. 

Aplec  trum  hecma  le.  Putty-root,  Adam  and  Eve. 
Leaf,  one  only,  oval,  veined,  G.  above,  Pi. 
below;  fls.  G.  Br.  Woods. 

SPIRAN  THES.  Ladies'  Tresses.  Stem  leaves  small; 
fls.  W.,  winding  about  stem  forming  a  spike. 

S.     cer  nua.     Leafy;  fls.  fragrant.    Wet  lands. 

S.     grac  ilis.     Small,  smooth.     Hilly  Woods. 

Goodye  ra  pubes  cens.  Leaves  netted  with  white; 
fls.  G.  W.;  6  to  12  in.  Deer  Park  Tp.  River 
bluffs. 

Calopo  gon  pulchel  lus.  Leaf  one,  grass-like  scape 
bearing  several  P.  fls.,  10  to  12  in.  Bogs.  Rs. 

Pogo  nia  ophioglossoi  des.  One  large  narrow- 
oblong  leaf  and  a  smaller  one  above  it.  fl.  gen- 
erally one,  P. 

In  the  following  the  flowers  are  spurred.  All  are 
rare. 


122          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

Or  chis   spectabilis.     Leaves  2  ovate  on  the  ground; 

fls.  in  a  spike,  P.;  3  to  7  in.     Woods  Ra. 
Jh.   Habenaria   bractea  ta.    Fls.  10  to  30  G.;  spur   W. 
H.     leucoph  aea.  Lip  of  fl.  fringed,  W.  Wet  places. 
H.     psyco  des.     Lip  fringed,  P. 
H.     fimbria  ta.     Fls.     fewer    and    longer   than    in 

last. 
CYPRIPEDIUM.  Ladies'  Slipper,  Mocassin  Flower. 

Upright,  downy;  fls.  large,  lip  pouch-like. 
C.     can  didum.     Flowers  small,  W.,    Ra. 
C.     parviflo  rum.     Low;  fls.  Y. 
C,     pubes  cens.     Fls.  larger,  Y. 
C.     spectabile.    Fls.  large,  W.,  blotched  with  P. 
Order  113.     IRIDA  CEAE.  Irises.    Fleur  de  lis. 
Iris  versic  olor.     Blue  Flag.     Common. 
Belamcan  da.  Chinen  sis.     Blackberry  Lily. 
Sisiyin  chium.     Blue-eyed  Grass. 
S.     angustifo  Hum.    Stems  flat,  4  to  12  in.  B.  or  W. 
S.    an  ceps.     Taller  and  usually  branching.      Both 

in  meadows. 

Order  114.     AMARYLLIDA  CEAE.      Amaryllids. 
Hypoxis  erec  ta.     Leaves  grass-like;  Y. 
Order  115.     DIOSCOREA  CEAE.     Yams. 
Dioscorea    villosa.     Wild  Yam  Root. 
Order  116.     LILIA  CEAE.     Lilies. 

Flowers    regular,     symmetrical     and     with     6 

stamens. 
SMI  LAX.     Green-brier.     Usually  climbing;    fls.    Y. 

G.,   in  umbels. 

S.     herba  ceae.     Carrion-flower.     Tall,  3  to  15  ft. 
S.     ecirrhata.     Erect,  Y?,  to  3  ft. 
S.     his  pida.     Stems  prickly. 

Allium.     Onion,  Garlic.     Strong-scented  planls. 
A.      tricoc  um.     Wild  Leek.     Leaves   withering  be- 
fore the  flowers  appear;  fls.     G.  W.,  in    a    close 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALJvE  COUNTY.  123 

umbel  on  a  leafless  scape;  J. 
A.     cer  nuum.     Wild  Onion.     Common. 
A.     Canadense.     Wild  Garlic. 
B.  A.  vinea  le.     One  specimen  reported. 

Cama  sia  Fraseri.  Camass.  Wild  Hyacinth.   Pis  B. 
Muscari.     botryoides.     Grape  Hyacinth,  from  gar- 
dens, 
Hemerocal  Us  Ful  va.     Day  Lily.     Fls.  large,    Or. 

From  gardens. 
Polygona  turn    biflo  rum.     Solomon's  Seal.  '  Fls.  in 

axils  of  leaves,  G.  W.     Along  streams. 
P.     gigante  um.     Great  Solomon's  Seal. 
Asparagus    officinalis.  Asparagus.    From  gardens. 
Smilacin  a  racemo  sa.     Fls.  in  terminal  cluster;  W. 

Moist  places. 
S.     Stella  ta. 
Maianthemum.    Canaden  se.    Low,  3  to  5  in.  Rocky 

woods. 

Uvula  ria  perfo  liata.     Bellwort.     Fls.  Y. 
U.     grandiflo  ra.    Both  around  wooded  hills. 
Erythronium  Americanum.  Adder's  Tongue.  Y.  Ra. 
K.     al  bidum.     Fls.  W.     Common. 
L1L  IUM.     Lily.     Flowers    6    parted,     more  or  less 

either  bell-shaped  or  trumpet-shaped,  large  and- 

showy. 
L.     Philadel  phicum.     Wood  Lily.    Fls.  2  to  4;  Or. 

and  P. 
L.     Superb  um.     Turk's  Cap,  Meadow  Lily.     Fls. 

3  to  20,  Y.,  Or.  and  P.;  2  to  6  ft. 
TRIL  LIUM.  Erect,  stem  with  3  leaves;  fls.  3  parted 

solitary.     Woods. 
T.     sessile.    PI.  sessile,  P. 
T.     recurva  turn.  Sepals  recurved,  fls.  P. 
T.     erec  turn.     Fruit  ovate,  reddish;    Fl.  P.  or    W. 
T.     cer  nuum.     -Leaves  large;  fl.  W.  12  to  15  in. 


124  BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  -COUNTY. 

Order  117.  PONTEDERIA  CEAE.  Pickeral-weed. 

Pontede  ria  corda  ta.  A  water  plant;  fls.  P.  in  a 
spike. 

Heteranthera   gramin  ea.     Mud-Plantain. 

Order  118.     XYRIDA  CEAE.     Yellow-eyed-grass. 

Xy  ris  flexuosa?  Seen  several  years  since  in  a 
swamp  on  Reddick  farm.  Believed  to  be  ex- 
tinct in  that  locality. 

Order  120.     Commelynaceae.     Spiderworts. 

Tradescan  tia      Virgin  ica.     Flowers  B.     Common. 

Order  121.     JUNCA  CEAE.     Rushes. 

Jun  cus   effusus.     Common  Rush.     Stems  leafless. 

J.     va  seyii.  Leaf  3^  at  base. 

J.     ten  uis.    Leaves  flat  or  channelled. 

J.     acumina  tus.     stems  in  tufts;  leaves  about  2. 

J.     nodo  sus.     Leaves  2  or  3,  recurved. 

J.     nodo  sus  var..  meg-aceph  alus.     Stout. 

Lu  zula   verna  lis.     P.    Leaves  flat,  hair\7;  6  to  9  in. 
Woods. 

Order  122.     TYPHA  CEAE.    Cat  Tails. 

Typha  latifo  lia.     P.      Cat-tail.     Marshes. 

Spartan  ium.     Bur-reed.     Marshes. 

S.     eurycar  pum.     Fruit  hard,  bur-like. 
.   Order  123.     ARA  CEAE-     Arums. 

Arisae  ma  triphyl  Ium.  Indian  Turnip.  Leaves  2 
each  of  3  leaflets. 

A.     Dracon  tium.     Leaf,  one  of  7  to  11  leaflets. 

Symplocar  pus    foetidus.     Skunk  cabbage.    Strong- 
scented. 
i  Order,  124.     LEMNA  CEAE.     Duckweeds. 

Spirode  la    polyrrhi  za.     Small,  floating-. 

Order  125.     ALISMA  CEAE.     Water  Plantains. 

Alisma  plantag-o.     Water  Plantain.    Pis.  W.  small. 

Sag-itta  ria  variab  ilis.   Arrowhead.   Fls.  W.   larg-e. 

S.     gramin  ea.     Leaves  usually  long--ovate. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          125 

Jh.  S.   caly  cina.     Scape  weak,  sepals  erect. 
POTOMAGE  TON.  Pondweed.  Stems  rooting,  leaves 
2  ranked,  alternate,  or  nearly   opposite,    round- 
ovate  to  linear. 

P.     na  tans.     Leaves  long%  petioled,  elliptical. 

P.     flu  itans.     lonchi  tes    of    Tuckerman.     Leaves 
lon^f,  elliptical. 

P.     perfolia  tus.     Leaves    roundish.     In   111.   river. 

P.     pauciflo  rus.     Leaves  narrow,  linear.     111.  R. 

P.      pusil  lus.     Stem  slender,  flattish.   111.  R. 

P.     pectina  tus.     Stem     thread-like;     leaves     very 
narrow.     111.  R. 

Na  ias   flex  ilis.     Naiad.   Stems  slender,  leaves  nar- 
row.    Slow  moving-  waters. 

Order  128.     CYPERA  CEAE.    Sedg-es. 

Coarse  grass-like  plants  with  solid  jointed  tri- 
angular stems;  flowers  in  heads,  spikes  or 
umbels .  The  stems  are  called  culms. 

Cype  rus.     P.     Galling-ale.     Umbel    rays   unequal. 

C.     flaves  cens.     Culms  4  to  10  in.;  rays  2  to  4. 

C.     dian  drus.     Rays  2  to  5,  very  short. 

C.     acumina  tus.     Slender,  3  to  12  in. 

C.     filacul  mis.     Slender,  wiry,  8  to  15  in. 

C.     strig-o  sus.     Stout,  1  to  3  ft. 

C.  specie  sus.     5  to  20  in.;  rays  crowded. 
Dulich  ium.     P.   Culm  not  branched,  round,  hollow. 

D.  spatha  ceum.     Spikelets  flattened,  sessile. 
ELEOCH  ARIS.     P.  Spike  Rush.   Culms  in  groups, 

leafless,  sheathed  at  base,  each  with  a  single 
terminal  head. 

E.  palus  tris.     Nearly  round,  striate,  1  to  5  ft. 
E.     ten  uis.     Hair-like,  4  angfled,  1  ft. 

E.     compres  sa.     In  tufts,  flat,  striate. 

E.     acicula  ris.     Hair-like,  2  to  8  in.,  angfular. 


126          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

SCIR  PUS.     Bull  Rush,     Club  Rush.   Spikelets  sev- 
eral. 

S.     pun  gens.     Sharply  3  angled,  1  to  4  ft. 
S.     laeus  tris.     Round;  leafless,  3  to  9  ft. 

S.     atro  virens.     L/eafy,  2  to  5  ft. 
ERIOPH  ORUM.     Heads  W.,  cottony  when  ripe. 

E.     linea  turn.     Triangular,  leafy,  1  to  3  ft.;  leaves 
flat. 

E.     polystach  yon.     Rigid,  1  to  2  ft.,  somevvhat  3 
sided. 

Hemicar  pha    suhsquarro  sa.     Erect,  1  to  5  inches; 

spikelets  2  to  3. 

CA  REX.  P.  Sedges.  Coarse,  grass-like  plants, 
generally  growing  in  wet  or  at  least  damp  lands. 
Stems  jointed,  mostly  solid  and  3  angled,  leafy 
or  not;  fls.  in  spikes,  of  two  kinds  both  in  same 
spike  or  in  separate  spikes,  on  same  plant  or  on 
different  plants.  Fruit  a  hard  seed  in  a  sac-like 
envelope. 

C.     lurida.     Obtusely  angled,  smooth;  leaves  long. 

C.     hystri  cina.     Slender,  sharply  3  angled. 

C.     vesti  ta.     Stout,  stiff,  sharply  angular. 
Jh.   C.  stria  ta.     Sharply  angled,  longer  than  leaves. 

C.     filiform  is.     Very  slender,  roundish,  smooth. 

C.     filiform  is   var.   latifo  lia.     Rough;  leaves   flat. 

C.     trichocar  pa.     Tall,  sharp  angled,  rough. 

C.      trichocar  pa     var.     imbebris.       Smaller.     Dry 
places. 

C.     trichocar  pa    var.     arista  ta.     Stouter,     leaves 
hairy. 

C.     fusca.     Bexbauni  i    of  5th  Ed.     Sharp  angled, 
roughish  above;  leaves  very  narrow,  rough. 

C.     stric  ta.      Tall,  slender,  in  tufts,  sharp  angled, 
rough. 

C.     gris  ea.  Stout;  leaves  one-sixth  in.  wide;  bracts 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          127 

leaf -like,  longer  than  stem. 
C.     granula  ris.     Pale  colored;  8  to  24   in.;    bracts 

broad,  spreading. 
C.     fla  va.    Very  slender,  stiff,  straight,   yellowish, 

1  to  2  ft. 

C.     fla  va   var.   viridu  la.     C.  Oedere  of  5th  Ed. 
C.     f la  va  var.     latifolia.     Leaves  broader,    bracts 

very  broad. 
C.     laxiflo  ra.     Slender;  leaves  soft,  one-sixth  inch 

or  less  wide. 
C.     platyphyl  la.     Low,  6  to  12   in.,    leaves    ^    in. 

wide,  1  ft.  long. 

C.     plantagin  ea.  Leaves  broader;  dark  G.  Canyons. 
C.    va  ria.    In  tufts  with  runners,  6  to  15  in.  Spikes 

G.     Woods. 

C.     Pennsylvan  ica.     Small,  6  to  10  in.   Spikes  Br. 
C.     pubes  cens.     Straight,  1  to  2  ft.  soft-woolly. 
C.     stipa  ta.     Stout,  1  to    3  ft.,   sharp    angled;    in 

clumps. 

C.    decompos  ita.  Nearly  round,  1^  to 3  ft..  deepG. 
C.     teretius  cula.     Slender,    obtuse    angled,    rough 

at  top. 

C.     vulpinoid  ea.   Rather  stiff,  rough,  at  least  above. 
C.     Sartwel  Hi.     Leaves    flat,   with    long,   slender 

points. 

C.     ros  ea.     Slender,  weak,  erect,  1  to  1^  ft. 
C.     sparganioi  des.     Stout,  stiff,  2  to  3    ft.;    leaves 

y±  in.  wide, 

C.     cephaloph  ora,     Erect,  paleG.;  leaves  narrow. 
C.     Deweya  na.     Leaves    flat,    soft,    shorter    than 

stem. 

C.     bromoi  des.     Weak,  in  dense  clusters. 
C.     sicca  ta.     Has  creeping  as  well  as  erect  stems. 
C.     scopa  ria.     Head  short,  thick,  tawny  or  Br. 
C.     adusta.      In  dense  tufts;  heads  heavy,  silver  Br. 


128          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

C.  stramin  ea.  Spikes  3  td  8,  small,  globular, 
tawny. 

Order  129.  GRAMINEAE.  Grasses.  Culms. 
Stems  usually  hollow,  jointed  and  closed  at  the 
joints;  leaves  2  ranked,  the  base  sheathing-  the 
stem,  sheath  split  on  side  opposite  blade;  leaves 
long-,  narrow— linear— acute,  sometimes  ending- 
in  a  long1,  almost  thread-like  point;  marg-ins 
sometimes  revolute;  flowers  consisting1  of  some 
scale-like  leaflets,  the  2  outer—g-lumes— the 
palet. 

Sparti  na  cynosuroi  des.  Marsh  Grass,  Cord  Grass. 
A  tall,  coarse  grass,  2  to  6  ft.,  leaves  2  to  4  ft. 
long1.  Wet  places. 

Panicum.  Panic  Grass.  More  or  less  hairy;  leaves 
broad;  flowers  in  a  spreading-,  slender,  branched 
panicle. 

P.     g-la  brum.     Spreading-  or  erect,  5  to  12  in. 

P.     sang-uina  le.     Crab  Grass.     Finger  Grass. 

P.     capilla  re.     Old  Witch  Grass.     Variable. 

P.  autumna  le.  P.  Leaves  small,  narrow,  edg-es 
hairy. 

P.     agrostoi  des.     culms  flattened,  erect. 

P.     virg-a  turn.     Tall,  3  to  5  ft.;  leaves  long-,  flat. 

P.     latifo  Hum.     Leaves  clasping-.     Moist  woods. 

P.     clandesti  num.     Leafy  to  the  top. 

P.     niti  dum.      Leaves  thick. 

P.     depaupera  turn.     Branched  from  base  or  not. 

P.     dichotomum.     Leaves  clustered  near  ground. 

P.     laxiflo  rum.     Flowers  larg-er  than  in  the  last. 

P.  Crus  g-al  li.  Barnyard  Grass.  Oplismenus, 
Wood.  Also  known  as  Cock  Spur,  Barn  and 
water  Grass, 

P.     Crusg-alli  var.    his  pidum.     Very  bristly. 

Seta  ria.   Bristly  Fox  Tail  or  Barn  or  Pig-eon  Grass. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          129 

Heads  long,  round  and  very  bristly. 

S.     glau  ca.     Pig-eon  Grass.     Spike  tawny.      Com. 

S.    viridis.     Spike  G.,  cult,  grounds. 

S.     Ital  ica.      Millet    Hungarian  Grass. 

Cen  chrus.     Hedgehog-  or   Bur  Grass  or  Sand  Bur. 
Sandy  lands. 

C.     tribuloi  des.     Known  by  its  bur-like  seeds. 

Leer  sia    Virgin  ica.     Cut,  Scratch  or  White  Grass. 
Leaves  and  stem  prickly;  plant  whitish. 

L.     oryzoides.     Rice,    Cut  Grass. 

Zizan  ia    aquat  ica.     A.     Water  or  Indian   Rice.     3 
to  9  ft.      Water. 

Andropo  g-on  furca  tus.    Coarse,  rigid,  grass. 

A.     scopa  rius. 

Chrysopo  gon    nu  tans.     Indian  Grass,     Wild  Sor- 
ghum. 

Phal  aris  canarien  sis.  Canary  Grass.  Ribbon  Grass. 

Anthoxan  thum  odoratum.     Sweet    Vernal    Grass. 
Sweet  scented. 

Hierochloe    borea  lis.     Vanilla  or  Seneca   Grass.     1 
to  2  ft. 

Aris  tida    tuberculo  sa.     Three-awned  Grass. 

Sti  pa    spar  tea.     Porcupine  Grass. 

Muhlinber  gia  Mexica  na. 

M.     sylva.t  ica. 

M.     diffu  sa. 

Phleum  pratense.     Timothy.     Herd's  Grass. 

Alopecurus    praten  sis.     Foxtail  Grass.   Spike  cyl- 
indrical, soft  and  dense. 

A.     genicula  tus  var.    aristula  tus.     In    water    and 
Wet  places. 

Sporob  olus  as  per.    * 

S.     vaginaeflo  rus. 

S.     heterol  epis. 

S.     cryptan  c'rus. 


130          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

Agrostis  al  ba.     White  Bent-Grass. 

A.     al  ba  van  vulg-a  ris.     Red  Top. 

A.     sea  bra.     Hair  Grass. 

Calamagros  tis  Canadensis.     Blue  joint. 

C.     long-ifo  lia. 

Dantho  nia-  spica  ta.     Wild  Oats. 

Cyn  odon  Dae  tylon. 

Boutel  oua  racemo  sa.     P.     Spikes  drooping-. 

Phrag-ni  tes  commu  nis.  P.  Tall,  stout,  with  run- 
ning1 roots. 

Eaton  ia  obtusa  ta.  P.  Stems  in  tufts;  sheaths 
some  downy. 

Eragros  tis  rep  tans.      Creeping-.     By  streams. 

E.     ma  jor.     Spreading'.     Sandy  lands. 

E.     pilo  sa.     A.     Gravelly  places, 

E.     Fran  kii.     Branched  and  spreading-. 

E.  capilla  ris.     Panicle  larg-e. 

E-     pictinaceae.     Dry  «andy  lands. 

Mel  ica  mu  tica.      Leaves  flat,  soft. 

Diarrhe  na  America  na.   Smooth;  roots  with  runners. 

Dae  tylis  g-lomerata.     Orchard  Grass. 

Poa    compres  sa.     Wire    Grass.     Running-;     stems 

flattened. 

P.     praten  sis.     June  Grass,  Spear  Grass. 
P.     Sylves  tris.      Stems  flattish;  branches  in  5's  or 

more. 
Gl}7ceria  Canaden  sis.  Stout.  2  to  3  ft.;  leaves  long-, 

rougfhish. 

G.     nerva  ta.     Branches  become  drooping-. 
B.  G.     flui  tans.     Leaves  short,  broad,  smooth. 

Festu  ca  tenel  la.     Flowers    in    one-sided,    panicled 

spikes. 

F.  ela  tior    var.    praten  sis. 

Bro  mus  Kal  mii.     Wild  Chess  Cheat. 
B.      secal  inus.      Cheat  or  Chess 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          131 


Jh.    B.     racemo  sus.     Nearly  smooth. 
B.     eilia  tus.     P.    Tall,  fls.  hairy. 
Agropy  rum     re  pens.     Couch,     Quitch    or    Quick 

Grass.     Triticum  repens  of  5th  Ed. 
Jh.   A.   viola  ceum.     Spike  ting-ed  with  Vi. 

Hor  deum    juba  turn.     Squirrel  Tail  Grass.     Heads 

very  bristly. 

H.     praten  se.     Bristles  short. 

El  ymus  Virgin  icus.    Erect,  2  to  3  ft.,  spike  dense. 
E.     Canaden  sis.     Spike  nodding-. 
E.      Canaden  sis  g-laucifolium.     Pale  G. 
E..     stria  tus.     Woolly,  spike  dense,  thick. 
E.     stria  tus  villo  sus.      Flowers  very  hairy. 
Asprel  la    hys  trix.     Bottle-Brush  Grass.   Gymnos- 

tichum  hystrix  of  5th  Ed. 
SERIES  II. 
CRYPTOGA  MOUSor  FLOWERLESS  PLANTS. 

Plants  without  stamens  or  pistils  and  producing- 
instead  of  seeds  small  one-celled  bodies  called  spores. 
CLASS  III.     ACRO  GENS. 

Plants  with  a  distinct  stem  growing-    from    the 
summit  and  usually  having-  leaves. 
SUB-CLASS   I.   'PTERIDO  PHYTES. 
Order  130.     EQUISETA  CEAE. 
Equisetum.     Horse    tail,     Scouring-    Rush.     Stems 

jointed,  ang-ular  or  grooved,  roug-h,  more  or  less 

branched. 

E.     arven  se.     Low,  8  to  12  in.,  much  branched. 
E.      limo  sum.     Branches,  uprig-ht  if  any. 
E.     hyema  le.     Few  or  no  branched;  \l/z  to  4  ft. 
Jh.  E.   laevigatum.     Slender,  pale  G. 
Order  13L     FIL  ICS.     Ferns. 

Polypo  dium  vulg-are.     Polypod.     Fruit  dots  round. 
Adian  turn    ped  turn. 
Pter  is    aquili  na.      Brake.    Found  on  leaf  2  to  3  ft. 

long-. 


132          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

Pellae  a  gracilis.     Small,  gra.y  G.,  2  to  4  in. 
Asplenium  ebe  neum.     Pruit  dots  long-,  straight  or 

curved. 

A.  ang-ustifo  Hum. 
A.  thelypteroi  des. 
A.  Filix-foe  mina. 

Camptosor  us.     rhizophyl  lus.      Walking-  Fern. 
Pheg'op  teris    polypodioi  des.       Fruit      dots      small, 

round. 
P.     hexag-onop  tera.   Fronds  triangular,  wider  than 

long-. 
Aspidium    Thelyp  teris.     Fruit    dots    opening-    by 

marg-in. 

A.     spinulo  sum.    Leaves  spiny-toothed. 
A.     Goldia  num.     Frond  broad-ovate. 
A.     marg-inale.     Fruit  dots  close  to  marg-in. 
A.     acrostichoi  des.      Fruit  on  upper  end  of    frond. 

A.  lonchit  is.     Frond  long-,  narrow,  rig-id. 
Cystop  teris    bulbif   era.       Fronds    narrow,     long-- 
pointed. 

C.     frag-  ilis.     Fronds  shorter. 

Onocle  a    sensib  ilis.     Fruit  on  a  separate  frond. 

O.     Struthiop  teris.        Struthiop  teris     German  ica 

5th  Ed. 
Wood  sia  liven  sis.     Small,    tufted    plants.      Rocky 

places. 
W.     obtusa. 
Osmun  da  reg-al  is.   The  larg-est  of  our  ferns.    Very 

rare. 

O.     claytonia  na.     Common. 
O.     cinnanom  ea.     Woollv. 

Order  132.     OPHIOGLOSSA  CEAE.  ' 
Botrych  ium     Virg-inia  num.        Moonwort.        Damp 
Woods. 

B.  lanceola  turn.     Damp  wood. 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SAIvL,E  COUNTY.  133 

Order  133.     LYCOPODIA  CEAE.     Club    Mosses. 

Rare. 
Jh.  Lycopo  dium   lucid   ulum.     Canyons.     Very   rare. 

L.     annotinum.     Canyons. 

L.     clava  turn.     Canyons. 

Selaginel  la   rupes  tris.     Sandy,  rocky  lands, 

S.      a  pus. 
Jh.      Iso  etes  melanop  oda. 


HESPERIS.    Rocket,  Dames  Violet. 

H.     matrona  lis.     Tall,  2^  to  3^  ft.   Stout;  leaves 

lanceolate,  serrate,  acuminate,    mostly   petiole; 

flowers  purple,  fragrant;  Sometimes   found   by 

roadsides  and  in  fields.     Escaped  from  gardens. 

SISYMBRI  UM.     Hedg-e  Mustard. 

S.     officinale.     Upright,  branching-,  tall,  1  to  3    ft., 
leaves    lobed,    pods  upright,    pressed  close    to 
stem;  flowers  small,  Y,     Waste  places. 
S.     canes cens.     Leaves    finely   divided;    Y.,    Apr. 

3  to  12  in. 

S.  Thalia  na.  Leaves  small,  roundish,  slig-htly 
toothed,  hairy;  2  to  6  in.  high;  W.;  Ap.  Sandy 
lands. 

THELYPO  DIUM  pinnatifidum.  Smooth;  often 
branched,  root  leaves  cordate  on  slender  petioles, 
stem  leaves  clasping1,  ovate-oblong1  sharply  and 
doubly  serrate,  2  to  6  in.  long,  lower  ones  on 
winged  petioles,  sometimes  bearing  one  or  two 
pairs  of  lateral  lobes;  flowers  P.;  M.  Ju.  Banks 
of  streams,  orchis  hesperedoi  des  of  5th  Ed. 

BRAS  SIC  A.     Cabbage  Mustard. 

B.  sinapis  trum,  Upper  leaves  barely  toothed; 
pod  knotty;  Y.  on  green  fields.  A  troublesome 
weed. 


134          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

B.  al  ba.     White  Mustard.    Pods  bristly;  leaves  all 
deeply  toothed. 

B.  ni  gra.   Black  Mustard,  Pods  4-cornered;  leaves 
with  a  larg-e  terminal    or  end  lobe  and  smaller 
lateral  or  side  Y."    Becoming-  common    in    culti- 
vated fields. 

Capsel  la.     Shepherd's  Purse. 

Bur  sa  pastoris.     Hoary  green    root    leaves   deeply 

toothed,  stem  leaves  arrow-shaped;    pod  small, 

triang-ular;  flowers  W.  small.     An    exceedingly 

common  weed. 
LEPID  IUM.     Peppergrass. 

Lt.     Virgini  cum.  Pod  roundish  with  a  notch  at  top; 

upper    leaves    narrow,     entire,    lower     deeplv 

toothed,  all  tapering-  at  base,  W.,    6   to    12    in. 

Common;  grayish  G. 

Order  11.     CAPPAR1DA  CEAE.     Capers. 
POL  A  NISI  A  graveo  lens.     Leaves  3    narrowly-oval 

leaflets,   brig-lit  green,    sepals    4;  plant    hairy, 

clammy;  flowers  small,  calyx  P.,  petals    Y.   W. 

Has  a  strong-  pung-ent  smell.     Gravelly,    sandy 

places,  along-  streams;  8  to  18    in.     Pods    short 

and  thick. 
CLEO  ME.     Petals  with   claws,     entire;    pod    long-, 

slender,  many  seeded;  leaves  3  foliate.    Fls.  Rs. 

or  W. 

C.  integrifo  lia.     Calyx  4  cleft,  petals  with    short 
claws,  leaflets  narrowly  lanceolate  to  oblong-;    2 
to  3  ft.     We  saw  a  few  specimens  of  this  plant 
S.  W.  of  the  C.  B.  &Q.  depot,  South    Ottawa, 
three  or  four  years  ag-o,  have  not  seen  it  since. 

Order  13     CIST  A  CEAE.     Rock  Roses. 
HELIANTHE  MUM.   Canadense,  erect,  leafy,  leaves 
long-,  oval,  nearly  sessile,    hairy,    Y.     Opening- 
in    the    morning-   and    closing-  g-enerally    before 


BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY.          135 

noon,  1  in.  dia. ;  Ju.  Later  the  flowers  have  no 
petals.  6  to  15  in.  Dry  sandy  loams. 

A.  Minor  erect,  with  numerous  slender, 
spreading1  branches,  leaves  linear,  flowers  small, 
brown,  in  loose  racemes,  8  to  12  in.,  leaves  very 
narrow,  y&  in.  long1,  hairy. 

Order  14.     VIOLA  GEAR.     Violets. 

Herbs  with  an  irregular  5  petaled  corolla,  one  of 
the  petals  more  or  less  spurred  at  base,  stamens 
5  close  around  the  ovary  and  sometimes  united. 
Leaves  alternate  with  stipules. 
VIOLA.     P.     Violets.     Hearts  Ease. 

Sepals  forming-  ears;  petals  unequal,  the  lower 
one-spurred  at  base;  stamens  5  closely  surround- 
ing1 the  ovary  or  united. 

V.  peda  ta.  Birdfoot -Violet.  Leaves  3  to  5  parted, 
lateral  divisions  2  to  3  parted.  All  long1,  narrow, 
often  wider  it  apex  than  at  base  and  sometimes 
toothed;  flowers  larg-e,  1  in.  broad,  pale  to  deep 
lilac  or  blue.  May.  Sandy  banks. 

Var.  bi  color.  The  two  upper  petals  deep  V.  and 
velvety. 

V.  pedatifl  da.  Leaves  all  palmately  5  to  7  parted; 
divisions  2  or  3  cleft;  lobes  linear;  flowers  large, 
blue.  Dry  soils. 

V.  palmata.  Common  Blue  Violet.  Leaves  round- 
ish-cordate, crenate;  sides  rolled  inward  when 
young1,  later  often  lobed,  the  lobes  obovate  to 
linear:  B.  Poor  lands. 

Var.     cuculla  ta.     Later  leaves  not  lobed. 

V.     sagfittata.  Arrow-Leaved  Violet.   Leaves  long-, 

~  •  O  ' 

obtuse,     eared    at    base,     dentate.     Sometimes 

arrow-shaped,  etc.,  on  more    or    less    margined 

petioles;  flowers  Y?.  in.  broad.  P.  B.   Dry  lands. 

V.     lanceola  ta.    White  Violet.  Lance-leaved  violet. 


136          BOTANY  OF  LA  SALLE  COUNTY. 

Leaves  long-,  narrow,  obtuse,  often  erect;  petiole 
long-  margined;  W.  M.  and  Sept.  This  plant 
blooms  both  spring-  and  fall,  but  not  through 
the  hot  weather.  Moist,  sandy  lands. 
V.  pubes  cens.  Yellow  Violet.  Downy  Yellow 
Violet.  Soft-downy,  branching-,  8  to  12  in. 
high  leaves  broad-cordate,  toothed,  acute;  fls.  Y. 
veined  with  P.;  fruit  oblong,  downy.  Woods. 


INDEX. 

PAGES. 

Abreviations 34 

Area 2 

A  Strange  Feature 39 

Black  Ash  Swamp 38 

Calceferous  Beds 7 

Cement  Beds 7 

Carboniferous  Strata 3 

Classification  of  Plants 29-30 

Climate 10 

Coal  Measures ...     3-10 

Comparison  of  Florae 21-22 

Coveli  Creek 6,37 

Definitions 24-29 

Distribution  of  Plants 19-21 

Draining 17 

Drift 4-6 

Evolution 31 

Explanations 23  25 

Florae 40 

Forest,  effect  of 17-18 

Geuua 30-31 

Glacial  Action 5 

Geography 2-3 

Geology 3 

Hailstorms 16 

How  Plants  Travel 35  36 

M  ean  Annual  Temperature 12-13 

Interesting  Localities. . . : 37 

Lake  Superior 5 

Brackish  Water  Flora 39 

Niagara  Rocks 5-6 

Origin  of  Drift 5 

Position  of  County 1 

Quantity  of  Seed 34 

Species 30-31 

St.  Peter's  Sandstone ...    6-10 

Rainfall 15-16 

Reddick  Farm 37 

References 40 

Surface 2-3 

Table  oi  Strata. 9 

Table  of  Temperature 14-15 

Table  of  Rainfall 16 

Thunder  Storms 16-17 

Valleys 11 

Varieties 31 

Variation 33 

Weeds Following  Preface 


ADDENDA. 

The  Salt  Marsh  is  a  swale,  now  drained,  situated  about  5^  miles 
southwest  of  Ottawa  at  the  foot  of  the  Illinois  bluffs.  A  salt  spring 
exists  here  and  an  artesian  well  bored  some  thirty  years  ago,  about 
forty  rods  southwest  of  Mr.  Delbridge's  residence,  furnishes  a  consid- 
erable volume  of  salt  water.  The  water  is  not  salt  enough  to  be  of 
value  as  a  source  of  salt.  The  vegetation  of  the  vicinity  presents 
some  brackish  water  features. 


